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500 years later, Lutherans, Catholics to talk about the split

To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church is sponsoring "From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran and Catholic Perspectives" from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

The event seeks to inform Catholics, Lutherans, other Protestants and people of other faith traditions about significant steps that have taken place in the last 50 years to build bridges of understanding and healing between the two confessions. It will be followed in coming weeks by a series of discussions at Our Saviour's, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, and at St. James Catholic Church, 831 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

On Saturday, the Catholic perspective will be provided by the Rev. Thomas Baima, ecumenical vicar for the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and professor of theology and dean of University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary and Graduate School in Mundelein. The Lutheran perspective will be provided by the Rev. Lowell Almen, co-chair of the U.S. Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue.

There also will be a short common prayer service, question period and reception.

"As we reflect upon the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are striving to focus on what unites us rather than on what divides us," said the Rev. Peter Warmanen, lead pastor of Our Saviour. "We are hopeful that this event will spark future conversations between Lutherans, Catholics, and people of other faiths."

A series of discussions on the topic will be hosted by St. James and Our Saviour's on March 6, 16, 20, and April 6, alternating locations. The sessions will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. More information, including how to register, may be found on the websites of both parishes.

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