The 48th International Old Catholic Theologians’ Conference took place from 26 to 30 August 2024 in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany. The theme was ‘Redemption in the 21st Century: from what and towards what? – Old Catholic Perspectives’.
The introduction to the topic by Frank Ewerszumrode (Essen) was followed by three in-depth presentations from contemporary perspectives: Marco Derks (Gouda) explored ecotheological angles on redemption, Franz Segbers (Konstanz) spoke on liberation from the myth of redemptive violence, and Theresa Hüther (Bonn) presented her reflections on Christology and Christian soteriology in the face of Judaism, as developed jointly with Ruth Nientiedt (Bonn).
One day of the conference was dedicated to the ‘Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification’ (JDDJ), as part of which two external speakers were welcomed. Johannes Oeldemann from the Johann Adam Möhler Institute for Ecumenism in Paderborn spoke on the origins and reception of the JDDJ. Heta Hurskainen from the University of Eastern Finland (Joensuu) discussed Finnish Evangelical-Lutheran approaches to salvation and justification. Wietse van der Velde (Nieuwe Pekela) covered a statement on the JDDJ from representatives of the Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands.
Workshops on concepts of redemption in the liturgy for the dead (Mattijs Ploeger, Utrecht), on obituaries and the expectation of redemption from a historical perspective (Erika Moser, Bern), and on the private and public significance of the sacrament of reconciliation for today’s society (Tjeerd Visser, Hilversum) combined theological reflection with pastoral practice.
A particular focus of the conference was on the ‘Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification’, which, after many years of consultation, was formally signed on 31 October 1999 by the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation; it is regarded as a ‘milestone’ in ecumenism. Since then, three other denominational families have joined this declaration (the World Methodist Conference, 2006; the Anglican Consultative Council, 2016/17; and the World Communion of Reformed Churches, 2017). In the course of the JDDJ’s reception, the International Bishops’ Conference (IBC) was asked to consider joining as well. The IBC submitted to the 48th Theologians’ Conference a draft statement of association. The participants discussed whether this draft was considered representative of the Old Catholic theology cultivated in the Union of Utrecht and which additional aspects should be taken into account. The doctrine of justification, which has been regarded as a divisive Church matter since the Reformation, has not had a high importance in Old Catholic theology until now. It has always been located within the broader theological context of soteriology (itself located within its broader ecclesiological frame of reference). The conference took the IBC draft into consideration. Its overall appraisal was that the statement contained in the draft are representative of previous Old Catholic commentary in bilateral dialogues and by individual theologians. The following possible clarifications within the draft IBC statement could be made: greater weight should be given to the theological concept of theosis and the importance of the communal, ecclesial dimension should be deepened. The 48th International Theologians’ Conference is in favour of the Utrecht Union joining the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. It also sees it as the task of Old Catholic theology to reflect further on questions of soteriology and redemption in multiple ways: in theological terms; in view of contemporary structures of injustice; and regarding how they affect practice (liturgy, prayer life, spirituality, etc.).
On Wednesday, the conference participants went on an excursion to Lambrecht (Palatinate), where Pastor Sarah Schulze guided them through the Protestant church with its impressive late medieval seccos. The days were bookended by morning and evening prayers, which were styled after the traditions of various local Old Catholic churches, as well as a Eucharist at the beginning and end of the conference.
Neustadt, 30 August 2024
The participants of the 48th International Theologians’ Conference
A detailed report on the conference and the lectures held as part of it will be published in the IKZ in early 2025.
Photos: © Florian Bosch