The Bavarian Lutheran bishop Johannes Friedrich has warned of concentrating exclusively on the question of inter-communion in the field of ecumenism: “this problem will undoubtedly not be solved during the next twenty years” and “that’s why it’s wrong to continue to give rise to unrealistic hopes”, declared the bishop in Munich on 10 January, referring to the second Ecumenical Kirchentag planned to be held in the Bavarian capital in 2010. “In Protestant communities, moreover, Communion does not have the importance I personally hope for”, Friedrich added: “for this reason, however, it is possible for us to joyfully celebrate the liturgies of the Word with the Catholic Church”. The Lutheran bishop further stressed that “other opportunities for collaboration at a practical level have far from having been exhausted”. On the position of the Catholic Church, Friedrich points out: “It’s clear that Pope Benedict XVI sees greater opportunities for success in dialogue with Orthodox Christians”, while at the same time declaring he is “confident that dialogue between the Catholic and Evangelical Churches would be re-vitalized”. In February Friedrich will be in Rome to represent the VELKD (Union of German Lutheran Evangelical Churches) at a meeting with the President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kasper.
