Freedom and responsibility for the world are inextricably linked with the idea of the justification of the sinner which the Reformation brought to new life in Christianity. The fact that a new consensus on the understanding of justification is emerging from our faith in Jesus Christ as the only redeemer and mediator of all grace is a particularly encouraging result of the ecumenical dialogue over the last few years. The Protestant churches have given this document due consideration and confirmed with the highest authority of their synods that none of the 16th century Protestant condemnations of Catholic doctrines applies to today's Roman Catholic doctrine, as it is seen by the above-mentioned study. Following the positive resolutions by the Papal Council on Promoting Christian Unity and the German Catholic Bishops' Conference we hope that a statement to this effect can also be made at the highest level of authority of the Roman Catholic Church. We are grateful and full of hope as we follow the efforts being made by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation to arrive at a joint statement on the doctrine of justification.
Nobody can ignore the fundamental significance of dialogue and consensus on doctrinal issues.
The impact and effect they have on local congregations and in the lives of individual Christians will be the measure of their importance. During the bad days of the partition of Europe and the division of Germany it proved useful to study the proposals made and measures taken in the name of d tente to see what they achieved in terms of human relief for individual citizens and the families who were torn apart by the Iron Curtain. The continued division of Christianity is also imposing painful restrictions and putting strains on individual Christians and denominationally mixed families. In our country the Christian Churches are taking a joint stand on keeping Sunday special and observing church holidays. We note with gratitude that it has now become possible to hold ecumenical worship services on Sunday mornings or other church holidays in exceptional cases when a good reason can be provided.