Bund für evangelisch-katholische Einheit
Encyclopedia
Bund für evangelisch - katholische Wiedervereinigung e.V. (Eng. League for Evangelical-Catholic Reunion, today Bund für evangelisch-katholische Einheit, League for Evangelical-Catholic Unity) is a German Lutheran High Church
organisation, founded in 1960.
The League was established for continuation of the Sammlung ("Gathering") movement of Hans Asmussen by some of its members under the leadership of Pastor Max Lackmann
. Unlike the Sammlung, they were not willing to work toward unity with Rome by a slow inward catholic renewal of the Protestant Church, but their alternative was to aim to set up of an ecclesiastical organization which would be the means of corporate reunion with Roman Catholic Church; the goal of the League has been to form a separate Lutheran Church, analogous to the Eastern Uniate Churches. This Church would have its own church order
, canon law
, liturgy, married clergy and catechism
, but to the Roman Catholic Church, preserving everything legitimately Evangelical.
Roman Catholic archbishop Lorenz Jaeger
appointed a Benedictine abbot as a consultor to the League, and stated that Catholics in Germany may attend conferences of the League without special permission. The work of the League was also known to the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity
.
Since April 2004 the name has been Bund für evangelisch-katholische Einheit e.V.. Within the League works an order, the Brotherhood of St James. The centre for both is the Hans-Asmussen-Haus in Dalherda near Fulda
.
Similarly in Sweden, directly inspired by the League, Förbundet För Kristen Enhet works for reunion of Church of Sweden
and Roman Catholic Church
. In United States a Lutheran Benedictine monk, Fr Arthur Kreinheder
, was the secretary of the League.
High Church Lutheranism
"High Church Lutheranism" is the name given in Europe for the 20th century Lutheran movement that emphasizes worship practices and doctrines that are similar to those found within both Roman Catholicism and the Anglo-Catholic wing of Anglicanism...
organisation, founded in 1960.
The League was established for continuation of the Sammlung ("Gathering") movement of Hans Asmussen by some of its members under the leadership of Pastor Max Lackmann
Max Lackmann
Max Lackmann was a German Lutheran ecumenist.Lackmann studied theology at Bonn and Basel as a pupil of Karl Barth. He wrote against Nazi ideology, and he had to move from Germany to Basel. When he returned to Germany, he was ordained in 1940 and became pastor in Confessing Church...
. Unlike the Sammlung, they were not willing to work toward unity with Rome by a slow inward catholic renewal of the Protestant Church, but their alternative was to aim to set up of an ecclesiastical organization which would be the means of corporate reunion with Roman Catholic Church; the goal of the League has been to form a separate Lutheran Church, analogous to the Eastern Uniate Churches. This Church would have its own church order
Church Order (Lutheran)
The Church Order or Church Ordinance means the general ecclesiastical constitution of a State.The early Evangelical Church attached less importance to ecclesiastical ritual than the pre-Reformation Church had done...
, canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
, liturgy, married clergy and catechism
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
, but to the Roman Catholic Church, preserving everything legitimately Evangelical.
Roman Catholic archbishop Lorenz Jaeger
Lorenz Jaeger
Lorenz Jaeger was a German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Paderborn from 1941 to 1973, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1965.-Biography:...
appointed a Benedictine abbot as a consultor to the League, and stated that Catholics in Germany may attend conferences of the League without special permission. The work of the League was also known to the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962–1965.Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement...
.
Since April 2004 the name has been Bund für evangelisch-katholische Einheit e.V.. Within the League works an order, the Brotherhood of St James. The centre for both is the Hans-Asmussen-Haus in Dalherda near Fulda
Fulda
Fulda is a city in Hesse, Germany; it is located on the river Fulda and is the administrative seat of the Fulda district .- Early Middle Ages :...
.
Similarly in Sweden, directly inspired by the League, Förbundet För Kristen Enhet works for reunion of Church of Sweden
Church of Sweden
The Church of Sweden is the largest Christian church in Sweden. The church professes the Lutheran faith and is a member of the Porvoo Communion. With 6,589,769 baptized members, it is the largest Lutheran church in the world, although combined, there are more Lutherans in the member churches of...
and Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. In United States a Lutheran Benedictine monk, Fr Arthur Kreinheder
Arthur Kreinheder
Father Arthur Carl Kreinheder, C.S.C. was an American Lutheran Benedictine monk and founder of a Lutheran religious order, The Congregation of the Servants of Christ.Kreinheder was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota...
, was the secretary of the League.
External links
- The Seven Circular Letters of Die Sammlung
- Lutherans for Rome Time, Friday, Sep. 22, 1961