By Farrell Shah

Kolkata: The Archdiocese of Calcutta organised an ecumenical symposium on “Revisiting the Reformation” at St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, October 31.

Jesuit father Felix Raj, principal, while welcoming the two keynote speakers Father John Romus and Reverend Sunil Michael Caleb, said, “today is a historic day. For it is the first ecumenical gathering at St Xavier’s College. This symposium on a unification of the Churches is very significant as ‘what unites us in Christ is greater than what divides us.”

Romus, former dean of Morning Star College, Barrackpore addressed the topic, from a Catholic perspective. He highlighted the joint declaration for a joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which Pope Francis and Bishop Munib Yunan, President of the Lutheran World Federation, signed on 31 October 2016, at the Lutheran Cathedral of Lund, Sweden. Both leaders pledged to work together for greater unity among Christian Churches.

Romus mentioned six significant gifts of Reformation which are shared by the Roman Catholic Church and have been articulated in Vatican II documents (1962-1965).

Reform ingrained in the very nature of the Church – for the Protestants continuous reform is essential for the Church. Pope Francis tells us, “Certain customs not directly connected to the heart of the Gospel… we should not be afraid to re-examine them.”

The centrality of the Word of God – Reformation brought freshness in Christian life and Ministry. Reformers taught Catholics the importance of reading the Bible in our own language and interpreting it in our own context.

Rebirth of the Laity – Martin Luther restored the Biblical idea of Common Priesthood of all baptized Christians against clericalism and low position given to the Laity. This principle opened a huge space for the Laity in the Church and their empowerment through education.

The world, the context of salvation – Martin Luther’s theology of vocation impacted the whole society. Marriage, family life, various occupations, politics and economics were given theological validity.

The advent of Cultural Pluralism- Reformation created many denominational churches alongside the Roman Catholic Church, each having its own universities, theological faculties, and jurisprudence.

Ecumenical Advocacy to Human Rights- Lutheran theology taught us that we are freed by God’s grace alone and that a Christian is subject to none but a dutiful servant of all. Many Protestant Churches have taken a lead to promote human rights, gender justice, and freedom of conscience, religion and speech.

Caleb, Principal Bishop’s College, taking the Protestant perspective, said Martin Luther’s (1483-1546) call for Reformation of the Church was a necessary tragedy – his “95 Theses” was necessary to protest against rampant corruption in the Church. Reformation brought Renewal as well as long years of violence, death and suffering among Christians. But now we are walking together towards reconciliation and greater understanding. Though Luther called for reformation of the Church on 31 October 1517, he did not want to divide the Church – he was against corrupt practices like the buying of indulgence in preference to works of mercy. However, the movement also gained political momentum which could not be controlled.

Caleb highlighted the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) which is a document jointly created by the Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) and the Lutheran World Federation in 1999. It states that the churches now accept that it is not our merit but God’s grace that enables and unifies us. Reformists challenged the perceived power of the Church to forgive sins. They said the clergy and bishops are functionaries of God to serve the faithful.

“While the Reformation was an event in history in Europe, its unfortunate result has been the exporting of these divisions and denominations to countries like India.It is this that the Protestant Church Union movement in India has tried to tackle the result of which is the formation of the Church of South India in 1947 and the Church of North India in 1970,” said Caleb.

Bishop Salvadore Lobo of Baruipur, complimented both the speakers. He said the importance of laity has been highlighted in Vatican II and reiterated that the work of unity is the task of the Holy Spirit and is not a human project.

“We have to learn from what happened 500 years ago. Our task now is to move forward believing in God, while commemorating Martin Luther’s 95 Theses of protest. He said today is an invitation to us to move forward from Conflict to Communion in the spirit of the Gospel,” Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta said.

ECI Calcutta Diocese bishop, R Isaac Mangalaraj, was among representatives of Christian denomination in Kolkata.

There was also a brief, insightful, question-answer session. The symposium ended with a befitting song by Bishop’s College Choir.

“How much we are willing to let go to be one with Christ?” asked Isaac Harold Gomes, a participant.