celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the joint declaration on the doctrine of justification
October 31 2019 saw the 20th anniversary of the historical signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) by the Catholic and Lutheran Churches in Augsburg in 1999. This was the first agreed declaration of faith and belief between these two churches since the time of the Reformation in 1517. The JDDJ was subsequently signed by leaders of the Methodist Church (Seoul, South Korea 2006), the Anglican Church (Lusaka, Zambia 2016) and Reformed Churches (Wittenberg, Germany 2017).
(L-R) Bishop Dr. Christian Krause and Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy sign the JDDJ (1999).
AN ECUMENICAL ORATORIO!
To celebrate this special anniversary a special
German language Oratorio has been composed by Cormac O”Duffy called ‘Die Inkarnation’.
This work for Choir, Orchestra and soloists uses the text of Martin Luther’s 1545 Bible with new settings and translations of words by famous Christian hymn-writers from a wide denominational background. It is proposed that this oratorio will be sung by a mixed Catholic-Lutheran Choir and orchestra in a prominent German City or town associated with the events of the Reformation and to celebrate the signing of the JDDJ.
German language Oratorio has been composed by Cormac O”Duffy called ‘Die Inkarnation’.
This work for Choir, Orchestra and soloists uses the text of Martin Luther’s 1545 Bible with new settings and translations of words by famous Christian hymn-writers from a wide denominational background. It is proposed that this oratorio will be sung by a mixed Catholic-Lutheran Choir and orchestra in a prominent German City or town associated with the events of the Reformation and to celebrate the signing of the JDDJ.
Martin Luther statue, Frauenkirche, Dresden.
the memorial stone
At the venue of the Premiere it is proposed to create a special memorial stone to celebrate this path towards unity demonstrated by the churches who have supported the JDDJ. This stone will be similar to the one in St Ann's in Augsburg and will give the names of all the churches who have signed the JDDJ together with texts from Luther's bible and the Latin Vulgate of John 17:21
Proposed Memorial Stone for JDDJ design by Micheal Aesir
CARDINAL AUGUSTIN BEA (1888-1968)
AND THE ECUMENICAL VANGUARD OF UNA SANCTA AND DIE SAMMLUNG
Cardinal Augustin Bea (1881-1968) was chosen by Pope John XXIII as the first President of the new Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity in 1960 , a position where he served until his death in 1968. In this time, he was responsible for bringing Christians from different traditions together as well as opening the path for reconciliation with the Jewish community. Signifying his dedication to this cause, his grave was inscribed with the words from John's Gospel 17:21, 'That they may be one in us that the world may believe Thou hast sent me'. The Oratorio and Memorial Stone will celebrate his legacy and that of the Ecumenical Vanguard of Dr. Max Josef Metgzer and the Una Sancta Brotherhood with Fr Georg Von Sachsen SJ and Die Sammlung Pastors of Max Lackmann and Hans Asmussen. These pioneers by their work during the time of the Second World War helped prepare the way for the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, the Ecumenical Vatican Council and finally the JDDJ. The JDDJ was promulgated by the leadership of the Lutheran and Catholic churches in 1999, and was subsequently signed by the Methodist, Anglican and Reformed Churches. It was of the first common declaration of faith between these churches since the time of the Reformation in the 16th century.
That they all may be one; |
(L-R) Br. Roger of Taize, Cardinal Bea, Pope St. John XXIII
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The Cardinal spent his vocation seeking to build bridges between Catholics and Lutherans and between Christians of all denominational backgrounds. The Cardinal can thus be well called An Apostle of Christian Unity. He said " The pressing obligation of working for the Unity of Christians is laid on all the sons of the Church, whether they are members of the Hierarchy or laymen, in accordance with each man's opportunities."
SUPPORTERS OF ANNIVERSARY PROJECT
One of the extraordinary things about a musical composition—written in a particular time, place, idiom and language—is its capacity to be received by other cultures and in other times. The great oratorios composed by J S Bach, for instance, written in a German context, are routinely sung by choirs around the world today.
One of the great achievements of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification—the “JDDJ”—and agreed upon by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church in 1999, has been its capacity to be received by other churches from diverse ecclesial cultures. The ecumenical achievement of Roman Catholics and Lutherans in the JDDJ has since included the World Methodist Conference and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. The Anglican Communion’s reception of the JDDJ has taken place in two different movements. The first was the decision of the Anglican Consultative Council to “welcome and affirm the substance” of the JDDJ at its meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2016. The second movement was the presentation of a signed copy of this resolution by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion to the leadership of the Lutheran World Federation at the Catholic Church, in the presence of the leadership of the World Methodist Council and the World Communion of Reformed Churches.. This took place at great commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation that took place at Westminster Abbey, on 31 October 2017.
Anglicans are delighted to celebrate this ecumenical achievement, and to welcome the
ecumenical Oratorio, “The Incarnation”, which marks the twentieth anniversary of the JDDJ itself. Like the JDDJ, and like other great musical compositions, we hope and pray that this wondrous musical gift will likewise be received and performed in different places around the world, as it celebrates our common faith in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the gift of our faith and salvation in him alone.
Blessings
The Most Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon
Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
One of the great achievements of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification—the “JDDJ”—and agreed upon by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church in 1999, has been its capacity to be received by other churches from diverse ecclesial cultures. The ecumenical achievement of Roman Catholics and Lutherans in the JDDJ has since included the World Methodist Conference and the World Communion of Reformed Churches. The Anglican Communion’s reception of the JDDJ has taken place in two different movements. The first was the decision of the Anglican Consultative Council to “welcome and affirm the substance” of the JDDJ at its meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2016. The second movement was the presentation of a signed copy of this resolution by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion to the leadership of the Lutheran World Federation at the Catholic Church, in the presence of the leadership of the World Methodist Council and the World Communion of Reformed Churches.. This took place at great commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation that took place at Westminster Abbey, on 31 October 2017.
Anglicans are delighted to celebrate this ecumenical achievement, and to welcome the
ecumenical Oratorio, “The Incarnation”, which marks the twentieth anniversary of the JDDJ itself. Like the JDDJ, and like other great musical compositions, we hope and pray that this wondrous musical gift will likewise be received and performed in different places around the world, as it celebrates our common faith in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the gift of our faith and salvation in him alone.
Blessings
The Most Revd Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon
Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
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LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION
An African proverb says “If we stand tall today is because we stand on the shoulders of those who have been before us”. The signing of the Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) in 1999 between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation is a milestone in the long journey of Christ’s body, the church, in trying to live up to Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one” (John 17:21).Currently, five Christian World Communions have signed and affirmed the JDDJ. Only because of God’s liberating grace can the church experience the blessed fruits of dialogue and celebrate small - big steps towards unity and reconciliation. Approaching the 20th anniversary of the signing of the JDDJ, we praise God for this grace and pray that the ecumenical Oratorio “The Incarnation” written for this occasion, may be an instrument to proclaim God’s incarnated love, building on the commitment to visible unity of those who were before us, and setting a strong foundation for those who will come, to continue growing in communion. Rev. Dr Martin Junge General Secretary The Lutheran World Federation |
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY
Thank you for sharing the good news of your Oratorio - The Incarnation - and the idea that Le Cheile Together intends to hold an ecumenical musical event in Dresden in 2019 to mark the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the ground-breaking Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.Now that almost all Western historical Communions have put this big part of the sixteenth century controversies aside, we have an opportunity to build a new era of spiritual and missional cooperation at a time when the Christian voice and witness are urgently needed. What a wonderful way to celebrate this achievement on the way to Christian unity! I wish you and all involved a great success.
Bishop Brian Farrell Pontifical Council for promoting Christian Unity
Thank you for sharing the good news of your Oratorio - The Incarnation - and the idea that Le Cheile Together intends to hold an ecumenical musical event in Dresden in 2019 to mark the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the ground-breaking Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.Now that almost all Western historical Communions have put this big part of the sixteenth century controversies aside, we have an opportunity to build a new era of spiritual and missional cooperation at a time when the Christian voice and witness are urgently needed. What a wonderful way to celebrate this achievement on the way to Christian unity! I wish you and all involved a great success.
Bishop Brian Farrell Pontifical Council for promoting Christian Unity
The World Methodist Council
WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL
On behalf of the World Methodist Council, we commend your work on the ecumenical oratorio "The Incarnation." Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together and encouraging them to celebrate what they hold in common. Ecumenical relationships can only be strengthened through efforts like yours. How wonderful that this musical celebration of the life of Christ might be performed in Dresden, Germany, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification!
- Rev. Dr. Jong-Chun Park, President of The World Methodist Council
- Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of The World Methodist Council
On behalf of the World Methodist Council, we commend your work on the ecumenical oratorio "The Incarnation." Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together and encouraging them to celebrate what they hold in common. Ecumenical relationships can only be strengthened through efforts like yours. How wonderful that this musical celebration of the life of Christ might be performed in Dresden, Germany, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification!
- Rev. Dr. Jong-Chun Park, President of The World Methodist Council
- Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of The World Methodist Council
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Rev Chris Ferguson, General Secretary WCRC
The World Communion of Reformed Churches is a global communion of 233 churches in over 110 countries and represents 100 million Christians. We are global family with a Ecumenical vocation bringing together churches from the Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, United and Uniting, Czech Brethren, Waldensian streams of the Protestant Reformation tradition.
Gathered in Leipzig, Germany in 2017 our global Christian family , living our our “ call to communion and commitment to justice” by embracing the JDDJ declaring that the theological issues of the 16 th Century are robbed of their power to divide us and that the bitter and bloody conflicts of 500 years no longer define us. We join with 4 other communions in deep and common affirmation that we while we have differences they should not divided us where we are united in our faith in Jesus Christ and Gods Grace and salvation . WCRC has affirmed the importance inseparable connection between justice and justification in our affirming the Joint Declaration. That we are saved for the transformation of the whole world. We welcome and encourage your creative musical expression of Gods liberating and reconciling work in our common unity and common commitment to the transformation of all of creation through The redeeming work of the Triune God. |
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Coventry Cathedral Ruins - Coventry City is a Partner City to Dresden
COVENTRY CATHEDRAL UK Partner City of Dresden.
“We are immensely grateful for the deep and reconciling friendship that exists between the cities of Coventry and Dresden, and especially between Coventry Cathedral and the places in Dresden who hold Coventry Crosses of Nails, including the Kreuzkirche and the Frauenkirche. However, that friendship needs to be constantly refreshed and renewed, and the Incarnation Oratorio will be a wonderful way to do that. It is particularly poignant that the piece celebrates the Incarnation – for just as Christ shared in the brokenness of the world through his incarnation, so our Cathedrals shared the fate of our cities through our physical context. May it bring hope to a new generation, just as the story of our reconciliation has done.”
The Very Revd John Witcombe MA MPhil Dean of Coventry Cathedral
“We are immensely grateful for the deep and reconciling friendship that exists between the cities of Coventry and Dresden, and especially between Coventry Cathedral and the places in Dresden who hold Coventry Crosses of Nails, including the Kreuzkirche and the Frauenkirche. However, that friendship needs to be constantly refreshed and renewed, and the Incarnation Oratorio will be a wonderful way to do that. It is particularly poignant that the piece celebrates the Incarnation – for just as Christ shared in the brokenness of the world through his incarnation, so our Cathedrals shared the fate of our cities through our physical context. May it bring hope to a new generation, just as the story of our reconciliation has done.”
The Very Revd John Witcombe MA MPhil Dean of Coventry Cathedral
PROFESSOR LEONARD SWIDLER TEMPLE UNIVERSITY PHILADELPHIA
I would applaud the efforts to commemorate the many Catholic and Lutheran priests and pastors and lay folk who worked during the Second World War to break down the walls of separation between the Churches. We would never have realized the historical signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification without their work and sacrifice. How wonderful to celebrate this in Dresden with music and memorials and even an exhibition! We must remember from when we have come and give honor to this Ecumenical Vanguard!
Professor Leonard Swidler Professor of Catholic Thought and Inter-religious Dialog Temple University Author of ‘The Ecumenical Vanguard
I would applaud the efforts to commemorate the many Catholic and Lutheran priests and pastors and lay folk who worked during the Second World War to break down the walls of separation between the Churches. We would never have realized the historical signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification without their work and sacrifice. How wonderful to celebrate this in Dresden with music and memorials and even an exhibition! We must remember from when we have come and give honor to this Ecumenical Vanguard!
Professor Leonard Swidler Professor of Catholic Thought and Inter-religious Dialog Temple University Author of ‘The Ecumenical Vanguard
Sie alle sollen eins sein, genauso wie du, |
Johannes 17.21 |
Images: JDDJ signing Icon of Peter and Paul and Logo of World Methodist Council Wikipedia Coventry Cathedral (unknown) Picture of Cardinal Bea and Pope Saint John XXIII unknown Logo of Die Inkarnation and Memorial Stone Micheal Aesir