Lutherans, Catholics justifiably reconciled, we think.

In the words of a recent accord between the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the two confessions hope to "put to an end 400 years of condemnations on the principal dispute of the Reformation"--the doctrine of justification.

The traditional Lutheran position emphasized complete dependence on faith in God, while Catholic doctrine upheld a stronger role for human initiative in salvation. Now, both churches acknowledge a common belief in the basis of justification: "By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works."

"Where such consensus has been reached," said Cardinal Edward Cassidy, head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, "the condemnations leveled at one another in the 16th century no longer apply to the respective partner today."

The declaration, termed a "final proposal," was the product of a joint LWF-Pontifical Council theological commission. Through its council, the LWF, which represents 57 million of the world's 61 million Lutherans, voted to approve the document after 80 of 89 member churches favored such approval.

Old differences, though, seem to die hard. The Vatican's official response expressed reservations and called for further study on several points, including the place of human work in salvation. In light of these "divergences," which have thrown the status of the accord into some confusion, the LWF has urgently sought clarification from the Vatican on its response.

Lutheran church historian Martin E. Marty of the Public Religion Project hailed the agreement as "earthshaking. This happens in Western religion only every 450 years." Marty added, "It is good to be reminded... that how people become right with God in their personal lives might be more important than how they respond to the passing parade and claims of popes, bishops, pastors, councils, assemblies, and what their own mind and conscience is telling them about authority. Thus right, they ought to be free to get on with their work in the world."