---
title: Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland Leader Calls for Ecumenical Unity
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/evangelische-kirche-im-rheinland-leader-calls-for-ecumenical-unity
published: 2026-11-01T21:49:15+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.domradio.de/artikel/praeses-thorsten-latzel-blickt-auf-den-reformationstag-2026
organizations: Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland Leader Calls for Ecumenical Unity

Thorsten Latzel, the Praeses of the Evangelische Kirche im Rheinland, has invited Catholics to join Protestants in celebrating Reformation Day.

Latzel describes Reformation Day as a day of freedom of faith that transcends confessionalism. He states that Martin Luther stood for the truth of faith and possessed the courage to speak against an institution. Latzel believes that modern times require similar faith, hope, and courage to stand up for personal truths and engage in dialogue with others.

Traditional celebrations of Reformation Day include church services characterized by community, singing, and prayer. Latzel specifically mentions the hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God as a central part of the tradition. He also noted that he would present awards to graduates of a lay university, where volunteers study theology. He views this as being in the spirit of the Reformation, which promotes individual autonomy and the ability for everyone to contribute and think for themselves based on the word of God.

Regarding the relationship between denominations, Latzel acknowledges the differences between Protestant and Catholic traditions, such as the Catholic celebration of All Saints Day. While he finds the Catholic process of beatification and canonization foreign, he appreciates the concept of faith role models. He asserts that for the Protestant church, all believers are saints and there are no first or second class saints.

Latzel expressed a desire for greater practical cooperation, such as the shared use of church buildings and spaces, as not all can be preserved. He specifically hopes for progress regarding the shared celebration of the Lord's Supper, or Eucharist, which he views as the ultimate sign of community. He believes that the primary theological difficulties have been overcome to allow for this.

Looking forward, Latzel invited all people to the Evangelische Kirchentag, which will take place from May 5 to May 9, 2027, in Düsseldorf. Although organized by a Protestant lay movement, the event is intended to be ecumenical and open to everyone. The goals for the event include praying, discussing, and singing together while addressing issues such as the preservation of creation, peace, social justice, the maintenance of democracy, and the fight against extremism.