The Washington Times: Pope Francis marked the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation by travelling to secular Sweden on Monday and encouraging Catholics and Lutherans to move beyond the “errors” of the past to forge greater unity, including sharing in the Eucharist.
Francis and the leaders of the Lutheran World Federation presided over an ecumenical prayer service in the Lund cathedral, the first time a pope has commemorated the anniversary of Martin Luther’s revolt with such a symbolically powerful gesture.
Francis quoted Luther and praised him for having restored the centrality of Scripture to the church.
“The spiritual experience of Martin Luther challenges us to remember that apart from God, we can do nothing,” Francis said.
Francis and the Lutheran federation president, Bishop Munib Younan, drew sustained applause at the end of the service when they signed a joint declaration pledging to improve relations through dialogue, while working together to heal conflicts, welcome refugees and care for the planet. The goal of the theological dialogue, the statement said, was to bring Catholics and Lutherans together at the Eucharistic table.
Disputes over whether Catholics and Lutherans can receive Communion in one another’s churches remain an obstacle after five decades of theological talks.
