Chapter 5: Living Out Our Baptismal Communion Six Ecumenical Commitments 5.1. Introduction This study has shown a notable degree of Lutheran-Catholic agreement on the theology of baptism and its ecclesiological implications. In Chapter One, we showed that Lutherans and Catholics share a common understanding of the biblical witness on baptism, and in Chapter Two we demonstrated that Catholics and Lutherans have a common reception of the biblical witness in the liturgical rite of baptism and baptism’s relationship to ministry and the Eucharist. In Chapter Three, we saw that not only individuals but also faith communities are members of the body of Christ, and we concluded that mutual recognition of each other’s communities follows upon discernment of the ecclesial elements and the fruit of the Spirit in the other community. Chapter Four described how growth in communion occurs through an intensification of sacramental life and service to the world. Based on this substantial agreement, the present chapter proposes six commitments for expressing growth in communion between our churches arising from a shared baptism. This chapter will then offer theological and ecumenical reflections on each of the six commitments in order to help our two churches reflect on how to grow toward the goal of full and visible communion.
5.2 The Six Common Commitments (1) Lutherans and Catholics share one and the same baptism as incorporation into the body of Christ and commit themselves to strengthening not only the individual consequences of baptism for growth in faith but also the ecclesial consequences of baptism for growth in communion. (2) Catholics and Lutherans recognize each other’s communities as members of the body of Christ and commit themselves to growth in the recognition of each other as churches. (3) Lutheran and Catholic communities share a basic understanding of the Eucharist and commit themselves to increase opportunities for Eucharistic sharing. (4) Catholic and Lutheran communities mutually acknowledge that the Holy Spirit uses the other’s ordained ministry in preserving the community in faith, hope, and love and commit themselves to make progress in the recognition of the other’s ordained ministry. (5) Lutheran and Catholic communities have mandated ecumenical commissions that have identified a common understanding of traditionally controversial topics and commit themselves to receive and implement them. (6) Lutherans and Catholics have received the grace of God and commit themselves to proclaim the Gospel together and to promote human dignity, solidarity, justice, and care for creation.
5.3 Reflections on the Six Common Commitments 1. Lutherans and Catholics share one and the same baptism as incorporation into the body of Christ and commit themselves to strengthening not only the individual consequences of baptism for growth in faith but the ecclesial consequences of baptism for growth in communion as well.
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