Benedict XVI says he wishes for a greater focus ecumenism during his September visit to Germany. In a letter to the chairman of the council of the German Evangelical Church (EKD) he said “I have now told those responsible that in the land where the Reformation has its source, a stronger ecumenical accent is necessary,” He asked for understanding if, with “a very overfilled programme not everything that I myself would wish for, which would give the matter appropriate weight, will be able to be realised”.
In January, on the eve of the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Benedict met a delegation from the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), which combines eight regional German Protestant denominations.
Since December Benedict has been meeting regularly with the German hierarchy to prepare the visit which at present is planned begin to starting on Thursday September 22 in Berlin and to end with a Mass and “A speech to Germany” in Freiburg on September 25.
Source
Catholic Herald
Documentation Information Catholiques Internationales