ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 13, 2013  

New pope has ties to Lutherans, says ELCA presiding bishop
13-13-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to the election today of Cardinal
Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the new pope, the Rev. Mark S.
Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), said he is "encouraged that Pope Francis I has worked with
Lutherans in Argentina."
      Meeting with Lutheran church leaders in Madagascar, Hanson said
that "as we approach the commemoration of the 500th (observance) of the
Lutheran Reformation, we share a deep commitment to our ongoing dialogues
with the Catholic Church internationally and in the United States."
      "His choice of the name Francis is a strong sign of his commitment
to a life of prayer, simplicity, humility and solidarity with those who
live on the margins of society. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit sustain
him as we enter this holy calling," Hanson said.
      According to the Rev. Donald J. McCoid, assistant to the ELCA
presiding bishop, executive for ecumenical and inter-religious relations,
the election of Bergoglio "certainly brings a Holy Father to the world's
Catholics but also is very important for Christians throughout the world.
Taking the name of Francis is very interesting to me, and I am sure many
others. Francis of Assisi prayed before a crucifix and heard the words of
Christ speaking to him, 'Francis go and repair my Church ..'
      "This signifies to me that Pope Francis I realizes the simple life
of Francis is important for leadership in the church, that there is the
need for renewal in the church, and there is a call to a life dedicated
to serving others . especially the poor," said McCoid.
      "Having a pope from the Americas is historic and does provide a new
day for Christians in the global south. We join Catholics and others in
praying for the new pope and for the hope that greater unity in Christ
will be a renewing theme in his life and in the life of Christ's church,"
he said.
      In the United States, the ELCA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops have been in ongoing discussions for more than 30 years. Each
round covers a specific topic important for the life and vitality of both
communions.
      ELCA leaders met with Pope Benedict XVI and other Roman Catholic
Church leaders at the Vatican in 2012 to present "The Hope of Eternal
Life" -- a common statement from the eleventh round of dialogues -- to
Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity.
      The common statement offers insights into some issues that proved
contentious in the debates of the 16th century, such as the communion of
saints, prayers for or about the dead, the meaning of death, purgation,
the promise of the resurrection and more.
      Hanson said the new round of dialogues, "Ministries of Teaching:
Sources, Shapes and Essential Contents," will address areas of morality,
ethics and theology, "looking at the Bible as an authoritative source for
teaching ministries, as well as the international dialogue through The
Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican."
      In 2009, Lutherans and Catholics celebrated the 10th anniversary of
the signing of the Joint Declaration on Doctrine of Justification --
recognized as a significant achievement in the history of Christian
ecumenical relations. Signed by representatives of The Lutheran World
Federation and the Catholic Church in Augsburg, Germany, the agreement
declares that The Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church have
reached a common understanding on justification, agreeing that believers
are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works.
      The Lutheran World Federation is a global communion of 143 member
churches in 79 countries worldwide. The ELCA is the communion's only
member church from the United States.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United
States, with more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations
across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church
of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God
through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the
world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church
reformer, Martin Luther.

For information contact:

Melissa Ramirez Cooper
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Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com

Candice Hill Buchbinder
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Living Lutheran: http://www.livinglutheran.com