Lutherans seek further reconciliation with Mennonites

|PIC1|The statement expresses “deep regret and sorrow” over the violent persecution of Anabaptists in the past and the theological arguments put forward by Lutheran reformers to endorse the persecution.

It goes on to ask forgiveness “from God and from our Mennonite sisters and brothers” for past wrongs and for ignoring the persecution, and for the way in which some Lutherans have continued to describe Anabaptists in misleading or damaging ways.

The unanimous vote in favour of the statement was welcomed by the general secretary of the Mennonite World Conference, the Rev Dr Larry Miller, who suggested that the request for forgiveness also required change within the MWC.

“You are not applauding for yourselves,” said Miller. “You are applauding for the grace of God in our midst. Mennonites have learned from Lutherans that we are justified by faith alone, because we know that justification produces not only relations between oneself and God but also communion between the churches.”

The process towards reconciliation between the LWF and MWC has been ongoing since 1980, when during the 450th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession representatives of Mennonite churches questioned how they could join celebrations of a document that condemned Anabaptists and their teachings.

Monday’s statement is one of the outcomes of the Lutheran-Mennonite International Study Commission established in 2002 to explore the coming together of the two bodies.

The statement is recommended for adoption by the LWF’s Eleventh Assembly in Stuttgart, Germany, in July 2010.

The governing body of the LWF is due to wrap up its five day meeting in Geneva today. On Tuesday the newly elected General Secretary of the LWF, the Rev Martin Junge, said his first priorities upon taking up office next year would be improving the quality of relationships among churches in the Lutheran communion and laying down a participatory planning process to ensure its sustainability.

The Chilean theologian was elected as the new General Secretary of the LWF in a closed session on Monday. He succeeds the Rev Dr Ishmael Noko, who steps down in October 2010 after 16 years in the position.
In his acceptance speech to the LWF’s governing body, Junge stressed the need for institutional development, including making decision-making processes more democratic.
"We all know how difficult changes are, particularly for an organisation as big and diverse and with as many stakeholders and interests as ours,” said Junge.

“Yet, without changes, without innovation, no organisation can survive in the long term.

“This is why plans need to be developed, so that those changes that the gift of communion requires today and tomorrow, can actually take place.”

Junge expressed his intention to maintain the polycentric nature of the LWF communion and nurture the diversity of its mission, particularly in its diaconal work and ecumenical and inter-faith dialogues.

"This diversity is not a problem. It is a gift," he added.

Dr Noko welcomed the election of Junge as his successor and promised a smooth transition between the leaders.

"God's grace is plenty, this is your daily bread, to depend on God," he told Junge.

The World Council of Churches’ general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia also welcomed Junge to his new post, calling him a “champion of lively partnerships in the quest for Christian unity and the building of human community”.