The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has approved a historic document to mend religious conflicts with the Catholic Church.
In a 931-9 vote, the ELCA assembly approved the "Declaration on the Way" on Aug. 10 in New Orleans, declaring that "there are no longer church-dividing issues" with the Catholic Church.
This comes nearly 500 years since Martin Luther posted his 95 theses to the Castle Church door in Germany.
The action brought about reformation and the birth of many Christian Protestant denominations, including the Lutheran Church, according to World Religion News.
Inluded in the document are 32 "Statements of Agreement" where Lutherans and Catholics do not have conflicts on church, ministry and the Eucharist.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton called the occasion a "historic moment."
"Though we have not yet arrived, we have claimed that we are, in fact, on the way to unity. After 500 years of division and 50 years of dialogue, this action must be understood in the context of other significant agreements we have reached, most notably the 'Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification' in 1999," she said.
Easton said the document "helps us to realise more fully our unity in Christ with our Catholic partners, but it also serves to embolden our commitment to unity with all Christians
Bishop Denis Madden, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and co-chair of the "Declaration on the Way" task force, responded by saying, "I thank you for allowing me and my colleagues to join you in the Eucharist celebrations which have been a great joy and always a remembrance that soon we will be celebrating these together as one body."
Pope Francis courted controversy last November when he appeared to suggest that a Lutheran could receive Communion in the Catholic Church.
The Pope will be in Sweden on Oct. 31 to preside a joint service with Lutherans, Religion News Service reports.
