International Lutheran-Catholic Preparatory Group meets in Rome

From 5 to 8 October 2026, the Preparatory Group of the Joint Lutheran-Catholic Commission met in Rome for a working session.

The Sixth Phase of the International Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue, launched in Moravske Toplice (Slovenia) in February 2026, has been tasked with preparing a joint statement in view of the 500th anniversary of the Confessio Augustana in 2030.

In order to ensure thorough preparation for the meeting of the 22-member Dialogue Commission, which is coming together in Augsburg in February 2027, the preparatory group in Rome addressed historical, practical and theological issues relating to the Confessio Augustana.

Members of the preparatory group:

Lutherans:

Rt. Rev. Bishop emerita Patricia Lull, USA

Rev. Prof. Dr. Agnes Pangyanszky, Hungary

Rev. Prof. emeritus Dr. Timothy Wengert, USA

Rev. Prof. Dr. Dirk Lange, Switzerland (Lutheran World Federation, Geneva)

Catholics:

Rt. Rev. Bishop DDr. Raimo Ramon Goyarrola Belda, Bishop of Helsinki, Finland

Rev. Prof. Dr. Gerry Kelly, Australia

Prof. Dr. Klaus Unterburger, Germany

Rev. Father Dr. Augustinus Sander OSB (Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Vatican)