USCC News Release: U.S. Bishops Laud Lutheran Statement on Justification By Faith (1997)

USCC News Release: U.S. Bishops Laud Lutheran Statement on Justification By Faith by Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, August 21, 1997

WASHlNGTON--The U.S. Bishops have applauded the passage of a statement by the Lutheran Church that Catholics and Lutherans share consensus on the basic truths of the Doctrine of Justification, an issue which has divided the two churches since the 16th Century.

The action by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) advances ecumenism and opens the way to further cooperation between Catholics and Lutherans.

The Bishops' response was voiced by Bishop Alexander Brunett, Chairman of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' (NCCB) Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. As Committee Chairman, Bishop Brunett speaks for the Bishops on ecumenical matters.

"We in the Catholic Church are delighted to see the progress represented by the ELCA passage of the Joint Declaration on Justification by Faith," Bishop Brunett said. "Our National Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity have worked for many years on the solid theological basis for this agreement."

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