Lutherans to Vote on Ecumenical Accords

In what could mark another major step toward Christian unity, the 5.2-million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America votes next week in Philadelphia on accords with four other Protestant denominations and a new understanding with Roman Catholics.

The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod--a separate denomination--is not a party to any of the agreements.

Three proposals are before the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s highest legislative body, which meets Aug. 14-20. The first would open the door to full communion with the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Reformed Church in America. Only the Lutherans have yet to approve this agreement.

A second measure would rescind 16th century condemnations against each other by Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches over what is required for eternal salvation. The vote would be on common language on salvation reached by the Lutheran World Federation and the Vatican.

A third measure--the Concordat of Agreement--would establish full communion with the Episcopal Church, which approved it last month. A two-thirds vote is required for passage, and Lutheran insiders said it will be close.

A key question is whether the Lutherans will approve a provision changing their position on their bishops, who are elected to set terms and have no more authority than a local pastor.

Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians believe in the “historic episcopate,” that bishops are consecrated for life and trace their authority in unbroken succession to the Apostle Peter. The concordat, in effect, temporarily accepts existing Lutheran bishops but provides that future ones will be consecrated by three Episcopal bishops and three Lutheran bishops.

While Episcopalians see the provision as a “gift” to Lutherans--one that leading Lutheran bishops welcome--some Lutheran opponents see it as a burdensome requirement that calls into question the legitimacy of existing bishops.