Australian Lutheran – Roman Catholic Dialogue

Why ecumenical dialogue?

Ecumenical dialogue is the promotion of cooperation and unity among Christians. It is aimed at the resolution of issues dividing the church through convergences reaching toward a consensus based on understanding, the exchange of insights, and the discovery of new perspectives that would enable the churches to reappropriate a common Christian heritage.

Through its dialogues, the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR) has an ongoing program of theological discussion with the major church bodies in Australia. The CTICR hears reports from the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and the NCCA's theological body, the Faith and Unity Commission, and it monitors developments within Lutheran World Federation and the International Lutheran Council.

We are engaged in bilateral dialogue with the Anglican Church of Australia (since 1972), the Roman Catholic Church (since 1976) and the Uniting Church in Australia (since 1979).

The dialogue with the Anglican Church and the Uniting Church seeks mutual recognition, while the dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church seeks theological convergence.

About the ALRC Dialogue

Since 1975, the Australian Lutheran – Roman Catholic (ALRC) Dialogue has devoted itself to matters of faith and unity. The aim of the dialogue is that through the mutual study of the scriptures and the tradition of the church, especially our respective confessional documents, our two churches may grow in mutual understanding and confession of the truth of the gospel.

The co-chairs of the dialogue are Rev Dr Gerard Kelly and Rev Dr Stephen Hultgren.

Visit the Australian Lutheran — Roman Catholic Dialogue page

Reformation 500 Years (2017)

The Petrine Ministry in a New Situation (2017)

Living Word, Living Tradition (2011)

The Ministry of Oversight (2007)

Justification (1999) - Australian statement

Joint Declaration on Justification (1998)

Communion and Mission (1995)

Pastor and Priest (1990)

Sacrament and Sacrifice (1985)

Baptism (1977)

Historic Statements of the Dialogue

Lutheran – Roman Catholic Dialogues have resulted in nine significant documents on shared matters of faith. The most significant among these are Baptism (1977) and Justification (1998).

The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) resulted after years of committed dialogue between the Catholic Church's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation.

The agreement states that the churches now share 'a common understanding of our justification by God's grace through faith in Christ'.

Since the difference of opinion about justification was at the heart of the Reformation and the forming of breakaway Protestant churches, the joint declaration was a pivotal step towards bridging a 500-year-old division.

You can read the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, as well as other Statements established by the Australian Dialogue, by clicking on the buttons alongside this text.

What now?

The year 2030 will mark the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession.

In 2016, our dialogue began exploring the possibility that a formal study of the confession could be a significant step in our journey towards a new ecumenical reality between the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches.

Great discussion is happening between these churches, both locally in Australia and abroad. The Roman Catholic Church could consider as legitimate and authoritative catechetical materials the Augsburg Confession and other documents, such as Martin Luther's Small Catechism.

You can read Roger Wittall's Reflections on the Australian Lutheran-Catholic dialogue on the Augsburg Confession below.

Read Roger Wittall's Reflections on the dialogue on the Augsburg Confession