Address on the occasion of the EKD delegation’s encounter with Pope Francis

"A new heart I will give you and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. " (Ezek 36:26)

With these words from the Book of Ezekiel - it is the ecumenical watchword for the year 2017 in Germany - we greet you very warmly, esteemed Pope Francis and brother in Christ. We personally met for the first time in April last year, and you met my deputy Annette Kurschus a few weeks ago, but we are grateful for the chance of this encounter now - with a whole delegation from the EKD.

We are especially glad that Cardinal Marx has come with us. This reflects a deep ecumenical bond between our two churches in Germany. And this bond is rooted in the yearning for "a new heart and a new spirit", that can link up not just us here today, but also the world around us - in God’s mercy.

I.

Mercy - this is a leitmotiv of your pontificate and we see it as closely linked with the gift of grace (solagratia). It impels us to give a "broad place" to forgiveness and goodness.

In 2017 the world needs the joint witness of Christian churches. Where mercy and compassion are denied, the "social sin" threatens human life together. Some now aspire to wall in our humanity. A new populism in different countries glorifies its supporters’ own nation and excludes large groups of people. We are not "flooded" with refugees; they cannot be reduced to "refugee flows". Rather, they are human beings with dignity, created in the image of God. Acting responsibly in the Christian sense means helping people fleeing from terror and violence to find a place where they can live in safety. In the name of Jesus Christ we are together ambassadors of mercy over against fear, violence and exclusion. In 2017 the Christian churches should raise their voices together worldwide, in order to encourage our countries to continue to show solidarity with refugees from terror and war and to distribute the burdens as broadly as possible. It is important to strengthen those countries in the crisis regions that have provided shelter to the many millions of people, likewise to tackle the root causes in the countries of origin. The international community will not meet its humanitarian obligations by erecting walls or fences, or by turning a cold shoulder.

Our world must aim for "a new heart and a new spirit" of penitence and repentance. As Martin Luther wrote in his first thesis. 500 years ago: "Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, in saying ‘Do penance...’, wanted the entire life of the faithful to be one of penitence."

II.

For many years now, our two Churches have been concerned to commemorate the events 500 years ago; it is "wonderful in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23) that this date can now be commemorated as a Festival of Christ (Christusfest) and marked with due ceremony - after such a long time of hostility and mutual condemnation. 500 years ago, the Reformers wanted primarily to point to Jesus Christ and his justification of sinners (solus Christus). This is still the prime intention of all the anniversary events, because it underlies the critical forces of Reformation faith, a faith which calls us to responsibility, gives us assurance and motivates our love of the Bible to this day.

Hence we really wanted to bring a gift that reflects the theological basis of this conviction: our appreciation of Holy Scripture (sola scriptura). I have the honour to present to you a special edition of the recently revised translation by Martin Luther. The Luther Bible does not just shape our feeling for language and imagery but still carries the new spirit of mercy and empathy into many hearts and homes.

III.

Pope Francis, not least on the joint pilgrimage to the sources of our faith in Israel and Palestine, we experienced again the benefits and strength of our fellowship. And yet we also know what it means to feel the strain caused by the differences between our churches in our own lives and those of many others. It is sometimes a painful reality in families: couples who share children, grandchildren and friends are divided at the Lord’s Table. Even during our journey together in Israel, we felt the shadow of lasting division at the Lord’s Table. In the spirit of reconciliation we have already made a lot of ecumenical progress, which

strengthens our outreach and credibility in the world (John 17:20). For that reason, we rejoice as we together continue to seek the way forward to an even greater, Eucharist fellowship. So many people feel the profound need to see an increase in the actions our churches can take together, despite all remaining differences.

IV.

Our churches feel a special responsibility to develop ecumenism further, since the divisions started with us in Germany. And we are convinced that we are called to turn the page and find new ways to understanding. In this regard, we would like to take up a special story of reconciliation in our country. In 2007 the Magdeburg declaration on the mutual recognition of baptism was adopted by a great ecumenical consensus, with all churches mutually recognising baptism conducted in the name of Jesus Christ. This was a significant step, since baptism establishes "the sacramental bond of unity which links all who have been reborn by it" (Unitatis redintegratio, 22). Baptism integrates us into the one Body of Christ. In this Body we are always called to witness together to Jesus Christ and his mercy. Pope Francis, a year ago you, too, especially underscored the idea that sharing in the sacrament of baptism forms an indissoluble bond for all Christians. We are a "holy people", even if, due to our sins, we are not fully one: "God’s mercy is stronger than our divisions." Hence we seek a deeper dialogue with your Church on baptism and its significance for the next ecumenical steps. Just as, many years ago, we proposed to enter into fresh talks on the doctrinal condemnations with your revered predecessor John Paul II, today we wish to follow a new approach to ensure that ecumenical relations do not stagnate. We hope to obtain your support for that. After all, our Situation in Germany is a very special one, seeing that - thanks to the Leuenberg Agreement of 1973 - Lutheran, Reformed and United churches are in dialogue with Catholic brothers and sisters via the EKD. Through concentrating on Jesus Christ, we can be enriched by the diversity of theological perspectives and the wealth of Reformation insights while together seeking new, common steps towards the reconciliation of our churches.

V.

Pope Francis, you have struck a strong new chord of goodness and mercy for all people. The joy in the Gospel, as you wrote at the start of your pontificate, fills the hearts and the whole life of those who encounter Jesus. As sisters and brothers in Christ we are grateful for the clear orientation you give. It is also our central concern to concentrate on the cares and sorrows of every individual and his or her specific situation as a fallen, torn, often wounded person. Our churches do not exist for themselves but are together a Church for others. Together, in the reconciled diversity of our churches’ spiritual gifts, we appeal to the God who seeks to give us all a new heart and a new spirit. In prayer, and in this firm hope, we are already united.