Why the Dialogue between Lutherans and Roman Catholics Will Not Lead to Unity

1. The Inability to Agree on Women’s Ordination.

When the predecessor bodies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America decided to ordain women, they decided to prevent any future reunion with Rome. The ELCA would undoubtedly have to rescind women’s ordination before this could happen, or there would have be a split within Lutheranism prior to reunion over the issue, a split I do not see happening.

2. The Enforcement of Mandatory Clerical Celibacy as the Norm for the Western Rite

While it may be possible for Lutheran clerics to become Roman Catholic priests under a Pastoral Provision like that offered to Anglicans, clerical celibacy would remain the norm. After the first generation of married priests from Lutheranism retired, the united church would be back in the same position it is in now, where it would require new candidates for orders to be celibate. This is one Lutheran who sees mandatory celibacy for the Western Rite as an abuse that was corrected during the Reformation that I think Rome should accept but never will. In fact, Rome recently reaffirmed its commitment to this idea.

3. The Role of the Papacy

We Lutherans bear the name of a man who said that the Pope was the Anti-Christ and that the Church of Rome was the Whore of Babylon. We can dance around it however we want, but it is right there in print. And don’t talk about authorial intent. Luther commissioned carvings by Cranach that showed Luther taking a big steaming dump in the pope’s fancy hat. I don’t think you get more antagonistic than that.

Quite honestly, I happen to like Pope Benedict XVI so far. I had profound respect for Pope John Paul II (I even have a picture of him in my office). But I have disagreed with some of their thoughts and actions and I enjoy the freedom to disagree, even when they speak ex cathedra. OTOH, when I look at popes like Leo X, even on my most charitable days, I think I am looking at a man who rejected the grace offered him at baptism, a petty despot playing king who did not demonstrate the least bit of knowledge about the Christian faith. (note: who am I to say…I am not God…but there you have it)

Lutherans are wary of power in any sense, especially those in the ELCA who revel in their anti-nomian, neo-pagan practices. And let’s not forget those who are Rick Warren wannabes. For a lot of these folks, they could care less about visible unity with Rome, and in many ways, probably agree with Luther’s assessment about the Pope.

4. Ecumenism: Roman Style

Rome already sees itself as possessing the fullness of the deposit of faith. Ecumenism for Rome is getting people to agree with the Magisterium, not analyzing itself for any errors. Needless to say, compromise is not on the minds of the PCPU.

So where does this leave us? I am one of those who desires reunion with Rome in the bottom of my soul, but I must grapple with the fact that I will never see it happen, nor will anyone in the foreseeable future. I don’t think we will be united until that day when we sit at the great banquet table, and share the feast with the one who has called us his own, in spite of our consistent distorting of his message of unity.