building a sense of openness and trust.
Bishop Gerhard Feige, the Catholic bishop of Magdeburg, commented
afterward: “One could almost say that the Catholic Church has set
out from the path of the Counter-Reformation on to that of the CoReformation.”
In a joint statement which appears on the Vatican’s website, we read:
“The awareness is dawning on Lutherans and Catholics that the struggle
of the sixteenth century is over. The reasons for mutually condemning
each other’s faith have fallen by the wayside. Thus, Lutherans and
Catholics identify five imperatives as they commemorate 2017
together.”
“In 2017, we must confess openly that we have been guilty before
Christ of damaging the unity of the church. This commemorative
year presents us with two challenges: the purification and healing of
memories, and the restoration of Christian unity in accordance with
the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:4-6).”
The fact is that the world today, perhaps more than ever before,
needs the voice of a united Christianity. Enormous challenges face
us. As believers and witnesses to Jesus Christ and the Gospel, we
cannot afford “the luxury” of discord and alienation. Prayer, dialogue,
fellowship, and sincere efforts at renewal on all sides have brought us
to this point. Praise God!
In This Issue
A team of biblical and pastoral theologians associated with Catholic
Theological Union, Chicago, will write our scriptural reflections this
year. We are deeply grateful to Dianne Bergant, CSA, the Carroll
Stuhlmueller, CP, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Old Testament
Studies; John R. Barker, OFM, Assistant Professor of Old Testament
Studies; and Barbara Shanahan, director of the Catholic Biblical
Studies Program in the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, for taking on this
project.
This is an especially good issue of Emmanuel. I hope you will enjoy
reading it as much as I did editing it. A blessed 2017!
Anthony Schueller, SSS