Cardinal Koch visits the Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation in Krakow

21 Sep 2023

On 19 September 2023, the last day of the Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Krakow, Poland, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU), and Revd Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of the LWF, presented a "Common Word" [English and German] during an ecumenical prayer and baptismal commemoration.

Both underlined the importance of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea in 2025, because the Nicene Creed "creates an ecumenical bond that has its centre in Christ". Looking ahead to the 500th anniversary of the Confessio Augustana in 2030, the Common Word states: "At the time of its writing, ecclesial unity was probably endangered, but ecclesial separation was not yet finally accomplished. As a 'pre-confessional' witness to the unity of the church, the Augsburg Confession is therefore not only of historical interest; rather, it holds an ecumenical potential of lasting relevance." "A common reflection could lead to another 'milestone' on the way from conflict to communion, comparable to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ)."

In a multilateral panel discussion on the current significance of the JDDJ, after the ecumenical prayer, Cardinal Koch emphasized in his contribution [English and German]: "The Unity of the Church can never be anything else than unity in the apostolic faith, especially in the faith that each individual is baptised into and which is given and entrusted to every new member of the Body of Christ in baptism". And he added: "'Justification' is first and foremost not a doctrine but an event, more precisely an event of salvation. For justification takes place in the sacrament of baptism."

In his greeting to the LWF Assembly, Cardinal Koch also congratulated the newly elected LWF President, Bishop Henrik Stubkjær from Denmark.

The Thirteenth LWF Assembly was held in Krakow, Poland from 13-19 September 2023. Participants in the LWF’s highest decision-making body included delegates from member churches and many ecumenical guests who gathered under the theme "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope".

The LWF is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing more than 78.5 million Christians in 99 countries. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in the areas of ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian aid, human rights, communication and various aspects of mission and development.