The doctrine of justification has been a major cause of division between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church since the Reformation. In 1999, after many years of dialogue, a ground-breaking declaration on this very topic was signed by the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation: the Joint Declaration on Justification. In 2006 the World Methodist Council also signed this document.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Joint Declaration on Justification (31st October, 2009). Many members of the churches involved, however, are still unaware of it and its implications. In Australia many are also unaware that there is an ongoing dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church in Australia.

In 1998 - one year before the signing of the Joint Declaration at global level - the Australian Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue produced a common statement on the subject of justification, with questions. This earlier resource has now been revised. It has been made into a resource for small groups, covering three sessions. It is suitable for use by Christians from a wide range of traditions. Permission has been given to reproduce this resource for small group study.

To download this resource, click here.

For the full text of the Declaration on Justification, click here.

To download a flyer about this resource, click here.