NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- According to the Ecumenical News International agency, the World Lutheran Federation (LWF) is not prepared to sign a joint declaration with the Vatican on the question of justification, and is seeking to supplement and clarify the statement.

      Cardinal Edward Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, had already-- in June-- announced the successful completion of a statement which both parties could sign. But one Lutheran source indicated that subsequent statements had cast doubt on the Vatican's intentions to lift condemnations on Lutheran doctrines. As a result, the source said, Lutheran leaders might require clarifications in the joint statement, to ease their concerns.

      In a press conference held in Geneva on November 14, Ismael Noko, the secretary general of the LWF, announced a new set of consultations with the Catholic Church. Lutheran Bishop Christian Krause of Brunswick, German, the president of the LWF, reportedly said that the signing of the statement should be delayed, so that both parties can sure of their positions. "We are in the final phase of a 30- year dialogue," Bishop Krause said; "What is another six months?"