Luther and the sacraments. A Catholic re-reading in an ecumenical perspective

International conference, 26 February - 1 March 2017

For a long time, both Catholics and Lutherans believed that Martin Luther had – after his early conflict with the Church – abolished the sacraments as effective means of salvation. But now, after nearly 50 years of Lutheran–Catholic dialogue, an understanding has emerged that “by grace alone in faith in Jesus Christ’s saving work” is no exclusion of the sacraments and the sacramental life of the Church. Rather, it is to be understood, on a biblical basis, as an interaction between justification, faith, sacraments and ministry. Catholics and Lutherans have learnt together to overcome old prejudices and controversies stemming from these prejudices. Today through an ecumenical re-reading they can learn to understand anew the concerns of Martin Luther’s theology.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Thönissen, Johann-Adam-Möhler-Institute for Ecumenics (Paderborn)
Prof. Dr. Dr. Felix Körner SJ, Faculty of Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome)

Programm (Deutsch, English, Italiano)

Conference website: www.luther-roma.net

Photos © Gregoriana / L. Cestari