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Rev. Leo A. Walsh, S.T.D. Answers:
No, not true. Even better than true. What your friend is referring to is the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification which was signed by the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation on October 31, 1999. See: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html
The document represents the culmination of decades of ecumenical dialogue at the highest levels of our two traditions on the very doctrine that was the primary dispute which many say actually caused the Reformation in the first place. It’s important to read the document to appreciate the richness of the text, but in short, it says that our two traditions have reached a common theological agreement whereby the doctrine of justification is no longer a church dividing issue. For Catholics and Lutherans to finally agree on the doctrine of justification after 500 years is something worth celebrating.
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Fr Leo: This is an editorial style comment: I think it would have been better to start off by saying “Definitely!” While the opening to this response is colloquial, the “No not true” sends the wrong message and people may not read beyond that. I know I was confused. And, I even knew the answer.
And, I do agree that this IS a major unifying issue.
Please note that the editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness.