Pope’s visit to Sweden could be key point in Reformation anniversary, says Lutheran bishop

Budapest, January 25 (MTI) – Pope Francis’ October visit to Sweden to mark next year’s 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation in Europe could be a key point in the anniversary and will “steer it towards ecumenism”, Lutheran Bishop Tamas Fabiny said.

The Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) announced on Monday that Pope Francis will visit Lund, Sweden on October 31 and will lead a common worship service with Lutheran World Federation President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan.

LWF Vice President Fabiny said the pope’s visit to the city of Lund where the federation was founded in 1947 will be a symbolic one. The fact that the city was Catholic for 500 years and has been Lutheran for the last 500 years further makes it a fitting location for a commemoration, he said.

Fabiny said the LWF has maintained the belief since its founding that only believers who are ecumenical can be Lutheran.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters