Catholics and Lutherans join to commemorate the Reformation
Catholic and Lutheran bishops in southwestern Pennsylvania are marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation that divided the Church with three special events that celebrate unity.
The first is slated for 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Munhall, Allegheny County. Called “An Evening of Repentance,” it includes a Liturgy followed by dinner.
The next event is “An Evening of Witness and Thanksgiving” on June 29 at St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church in Mars, Butler County, that features testimonial and Thanksgiving.
The third event is called “A Day of Commemoration of Hope” on Oct. 28 at the Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College in Westmoreland County, which includes prayer at St. Vincent Basilica.
The four bishops, who recently issued a letter announcing the events, include the Rev. Kurt F. Kusserow, bishop of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which covers the region; The Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, which includes Fayette and Westmoreland counties; the Most Rev. David A. Zubik, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, which includes Greene and Washington counties; and the Most Rev. William Skurla, Metropolitan of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, which also covers the region.
Beginning with a verse from Ephesians 4:4-6 that says there is “one Lord, one faith,” the letter explains as the bishops share “a warm, forthright and collegial relationship with each other, we invite you to join us as we celebrate our unity in Jesus Christ. Together we commit ourselves and our judicatories to a year of commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.”
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh issued a press release this week that explained, “The Reformation, which tore apart Western Christianity, began on Oct. 31, 1517, when a monk named Martin Luther issued a public challenge to a list of Catholic doctrines and practices. Luther was excommunicated, sparking religious and political conflict that played out in wars and persecution.”
The release continued, “The 20th century saw many efforts to heal those wounds and pursue Christian unity. In 1999, the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation signed the ‘Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification,’ outlining a common understanding on the main doctrine that had sparked the Reformation. Last year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Committee on Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs signed the ‘Declaration on the Way,’ including 32 statements of agreement on issues that no longer divide the two traditions. Other differences remain, including over ordination and papal authority.”
The local bishops’ letter noted, “Christ’s call to truly be one in him remains in many ways unrealized due to long-standing misunderstandings and division. That we are not yet able to share in each others’ Eucharistic celebrations is but one example for this needed work to foster true, visible unity among Catholics and Lutherans.”
They added, “During this year of commemoration, we invite you to join us in allowing the gospel of Jesus Christ under the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us for a more visible unity manifested in prayer, acts of mercy and common pursuit of peace with justice.”
The bishops said Catholics and Lutherans will reassess shared histories and divisions, examine programs made in 50 years of ecumenical dialogue and witness together to seek greater unity with other Christians as well.
The bishops are calling on Lutherans and Catholics to pray for an increase in mutual understanding, reconciliation and more visible unity in local parishes, ecumenical ministeriums and other Christian gatherings.
They ask for clergy, religious and laity to join “as we move our traditions from ‘conflict to communion.’ Together, we pledge our time, mutual prayers and actions in witness and service in this year of commemoration of the Reformation. We invite you to join us ‘on the way.”‘
Events and reflections related to the 500th anniversary can be found on the Facebook page “Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the Way in Southwestern Pennsylvania.”