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Pope
to rehabilitate Luther?
An
article in The
Times newspaper (London) on 6 March 2008 claimed that ‘Pope Benedict
XVI is to rehabilitate Martin Luther, arguing that he did not intend to split
Christianity but only to purge the Church of corrupt practices.’
‘Pope
Benedict’, says the article, ‘will issue his findings on Luther in
September after discussing him at his annual seminar of 40 fellow
theologians—known as the Ratzinger Schülkreis—at
Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence.’
The
story was picked up also in The
Tablet, a respected Roman Catholic journal. Its 15 March 2008 issue
referred to a report by an Italian news agency, which said that the Pope and
his former doctoral students might meet to discuss Luther, in particular his
concept of apostolic succession and whether Luther had intended to split the
Church or reform it. The
Tablet said that ‘the Pope has a longstanding respect for Luther’
and ‘played a key role in rescuing an agreement with the Lutheran World
Federation on the doctrine of justification.’
‘However’,
The
Tablet article goes on to say, ‘the Vatican’s chief
spokesman...categorically denied speculation...that Pope Benedict was planning
to “rehabilitate” Luther.’
Icelandic speakers at
Anglican-Lutheran meeting in London
At
the Annual General Meeting of the Anglican-Lutheran
Society, held in London on
8 March, presentations were given about the
Church of Iceland and its most famous priest-poet,
Hallgrimur Petursson (1614-1674). His 'Passion Hymns',
which recount the
story of the Christ’s passion, have been a
source of comfort and spiritual guidance, both to
individuals and during times of national crisis. The
fifty hymns are read each year on Icelandic State Radio
during Lent. The largest church in Reykjavik, Hallgrimskirkja,
is named after Hallgrimur Petursson.
The
large audience was welcomed by the Icelandic Ambassador
in London, His Excellency Mr Sverrir Gunnlaugsson, who
supported the event. Dr Einar Sigurbjornsson, of the
University of Iceland, spoke about Hallgrimur's
theology, his place within the Lutheran Church and the
continuing spiritual importance of the 'Passion Hymns'.
Dr Margret Eggertsdottir, of the Arni Magnusson
Institute in Reykjavik, considered his literary legacy,
not only in Iceland but in Western Europe.
The
Revd Berhardur Gudmundsson, a priest of the Icelandic
Church, described the role and significance of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland in relation to
other Churches.
The
Revd Sigurður
Arnarson, the Icelandic chaplain in London, is a member
of the executive committee of the Anglican-Lutheran
Society and helped to organise the event.
For
more information about the AGM and the Anglican-Lutheran
Society, visit its website at www.anglican-lutheran-society.org.
Lucas Cranach exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts
An
exhibition of the paintings of Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553), a friend
of Martin Luther and supporter of the Reformation, is being held at The Royal
Academy of Arts. 8 March to 8 June. A number of paintings related to the
Lutheran Reformation are included in the exhibition. For more information,
please click here
to visit the web site of the Royal Academy of Arts.
The
painting shown here is Portrait
of Martin Luther, 1525 (Oil on panel, 40 x 26.6cm) – Bristol’s
Museums, Galleries and Archives. Click on it to enlarge.
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recent issue of 'The Lutheran Link', form which the above articles were taken,
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