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 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.
Historic Statements of the Dialogue
What now?
2030 will mark the 500-year 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 the Small Catechism of Martin Luther.
You can read Roger Wittall's Reflections on the Australian Lutheran-Catholic dialogue on the Augsburg Confession below.
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