A Roman Catholic bishop looks at Luther

Lutherans and Roman Catholics share a common history until 1517 when a German Catholic monk, Martin Luther, began questioning the biblical basis for certain practices by the Roman Church and caused a split. But how do Roman Catholics view Luther today?

To answer the question, Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton has invited Most Rev. Dr. Donald Bolen, Roman Catholic Bishop of Saskatoon to address the topic “How is Luther seen today in North American Roman Catholicism?” The lecture, and response by a Lutheran theologian, takes place Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in the auditorium of Concordia University College of Alberta, beginning at 3:30 p.m. MT (5:30 p.m. ET).  The seminary will also webcast the lecture at  http://www.concordiasem.ab.ca/CLSTV.php. The event is the third in the seminary’s ten-year countdown to 2017, the 500th anniversary of Luther’s public disagreement with Rome.

Most Rev. Dr. Donald Bolen, Roman Catholic Bishop of Saskatoon

Born in Gravelbourg, Sask., Dr. Bolen studied at the University of Regina; Saint Paul University, Ottawa; and Oxford. Much of his career has focused on inter-church relations. In November, 2008 the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded him the Cross of Saint Augustine for his service to relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

Leading up to the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle Church in 1517 which launched the Protestant Reformation, Concordia Lutheran Seminary has invited international scholars from a variety of backgrounds to speak about Luther and Lutheranism.

In addition to cultural presentations, the annual events include a Reformation Worship Service. This year the service is at Riverbend Lutheran Church, Edmonton, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2010 with CLS professor, Dr. Stephen Chambers as preacher.

The festivities are made possible by financial assistance from with support from FaithLife Financial and the CLS Guild. For more information check the web site or contact Rhonda Buck or Sandra Esperanza at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, 780-474-1468.

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