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A presentation in Sterling considers the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Fr. James Loughran, director of the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute in New York, presents “500 Years Since Luther: Can Catholics and Lutherans Commemorate Together?” at Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling July 31. ELIZABETH A. ELLIOTT | CATHOLIC HERALD

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The Protestant Reformation began 500 years ago, but ecumenical
conversations have not subsided.

The conversation continued at Christ the Redeemer Church in
Sterling July 31 with the presentation, “500 Years Since Luther: Can Catholics
and Lutherans Commemorate Together?” The talk was led by Franciscan Friar of
the Atonement Father James Loughran, the director of the Graymoor Ecumenical
and Interreligious Institute in New York, and former parochial vicar at Christ
the Redeemer from 1991 to 1994.

He was joined by four interns from the discernment program,
At-One-Ment, offered by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, who completed a
summer program in Rome.

James Zwilling, of Franklin Square, N.Y., spoke about the history
of the division between Catholics and Lutherans. Dillon Smith, of Venus, Texas,
spoke on the commonalities between the two religions, while Konner Kloster of
St. Louis, Mo., noted the differences. Andrew Tran of Hanford, Calif., discussed
this year’s anniversary, and Father Loughran provided closing remarks.

The conversation between Catholics and Lutherans is easier
because they have become friendlier over the years, according to Father
Loughran. “We can take each other on a great level of trust and that helps a
lot,” he said.

But he also identified challenges.

“It is a little harder on some levels because some of our
partners in the ecumenical dialogue have taken on social issues that we do not
agree with,” he said. “As a result it makes the ecumenical dialogue more
difficult when you talk about issues such as homosexual rights and things like
that.”

Father Loughran wanted attendees to take away that there is hope
for ecumenism. “It is not something we have given up on,” he said. “People see
that there is a tremendous energy behind it. People do love the work and want
it to succeed.”

Helena Syska, a parishioner of Christ the Redeemer, said she has
many discussions with people of different faiths about Catholicism. She sees
Martin Luther as the whistleblower of his generation.

Father Loughran told attendees to bear witness to the world that
God will bring together that which is divided. “The Good News — can we proclaim
it together? Of course we can,” he said. “And for the sake of the world, we
have no choice.”

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