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Bishop Dr Johannes Friedrich © LWF/Erick Coll

08.02.2010

LWF of “Great Significance” for Germany

German National Committee Presiding Bishop Brings Greetings to the Assembly

STUTTGART, Germany/GENEVA, 2 August 2010 – Since its foundation the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has been of “great significance” for Germany, presiding bishop of the German National Committee (DNC) Bishop Dr. Johannes Friedrich (Munich, Germany) told the Eleventh Assembly. Thanks to LWF assistance after World War II, people experienced not just material but also spiritual support, he noted.

“To this day we are thankful that through the LWF we can be part of the world-embracing communion of Lutheran churches, which enriches our theological and specifically ecumenical work,” he stated.

Friedrich, who is also leading bishop of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), pointed out that the Assembly was “an important step forward” in preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. The LWF Wittenberg Center in Germany had been founded together with the LWF, he said. It held regular seminars on the theology of Martin Luther, and invited participation from all LWF regions.

Furthermore, a “Luther Garden” had been designed in Wittenberg—a park where churches from all over the world could plant a tree at the place of the Reformation in 1517. Churches are also requested to plant a tree at a central place in their home area, in order to document the churches’ worldwide spread and ecumenical fellowship.

“As the German National Committee, we have resolved to mark 2017 with a world and ecumenical slant,” the DNC chairperson declared. “We want to celebrate it as an event of significance extending far beyond Germany and Lutheranism. After all, all churches have changed since, and through, the Reformation. And so we cannot just celebrate ‘ourselves’ in 2017. We intend to celebrate that God loves us and God’s church, and constantly gives us the courage to change.” (305 words)

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