"The United States holds Pope John Paul 11 in High esteem. We respect the great moral and political
influence which he and the Vatican exercise througout the world"
Rome--Encouraged by the growing warmth of Catholic-Lutheran relations, Pope John 11 told a visiting American
Lutheran bishop that he prays daily to know what steps his church must take to repair the breach that separated Catholics
and Lutherans 450 years ago.
The Lutheran Bishop told reporters after leaving the thirty minute Vatican audience that the pope plans to
make another speech in praise of Martin Luther when the 500th anniversary of the reformer's birth is celebrated later
this year. He cited the Luther birthdate in a spech to West German Catholic bishops in January. (Ref: The Christian
Jew foundation, September, 1983
POPE SPEAKS IN LUTHERAN CHURCH
Vatican City--Lutheran Officials said they got word Saturday from the Vatican that the pontiff had accepted
their invitation to join them in servies on December 11 at a church in Rome and to deliver a sermon.
Vatican spokesman refused to comment,
but sources confirmed that the pope would visit the chrch saing it would be a first for a Catholic pontiff. Vatican
observers consider the pope's move one of the most significant and symbolic steps toward reconciliation in modern times.
ref:Detroit Free Press, Novermber 1983
POPE OPTIMISTIC ON ORTHODOX TIES
Vatican city--Pope John 11 said Sunday, "Roman
Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Churches of the East share a common spirital heritage and are working together to end
their 1,000 year schism."
CHURCH OF ENGLAND STEPS CLOSER TO CATHOLIC
RE-UNION
London
(Reuters) The church of England's ruling body advanced towards reunification with the Roman Catholic Church Thursday
by overwhelmingly approving a motion that envisages some type of papal authority in a reunited church.
EPISCOPALIANS, CATHOLICS TO SIGN UNITY
COVENANT
Chicago,
Sun-Times, Saturday, November 15, 1986
Chicago's top Episcopal and Roman Catholic churchmen tomorrow will sign an accord pledging to work for church
unity.-------Similar agreements have been signed elsewhere, such as in Milwaukee. However, with 2.4 million Roman Catholics
and 55,000 Episcopalians involved here, the covenant will involve the largest number of people participating in such an accord
in the nation.---The Covenant calls on members of both dioceses to pray for unity, share resources and facilities, work together
on social justice issues and develop more contacts at the parish level.
POPE VISIT SET Geneva, Switzerland (AP)
Pope John Paul 11 will visit the World Council of Churches
headquarters
here on June 12. ---The Council, which includes Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox and other denominations, said
the pope would take part in an ecumenical worship service and confer with Council officers.----
