By Peter Handke

Blessed Hope Fellowship

Wednesday, Sept. 16, in a park overlooking the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, an event six years in the making took place. Representatives of governments, of Christian churches and other religious confessions were in attendance. The event was the dedication of the “Piazza Martin Luther: German Theologian of the Reformation 1483-1546” or simply “Luther Square” celebrating Luther’s visit to Rome five hundred years ago and 500 years of Protestantism.

Many Christians recognize Martin Luther as the father of the Reformation. The Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, recalled the words of Luther before he died, “We are all beggars, this is true.” Jens-Martin Kruse, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rome, recalled the important steps in Martin Luther’s life.

On Oct. 31, 1517, Luther, a German monk, posted 95 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg that laid the foundation for the greatest schism in western Christianity. Jan. 3, 1521, Luther received the papal bull (letter) of excommunication, issued by Pope Leo X. Millions have through the years responded to the call of Christian reform in belief and practice by protesting (thus the name Protestant) Roman Catholic claims and teachings. Currently, efforts of reconciliation are continuing to take place as Pope Francis supports a more unified Christian voice in Europe.

According to the Italian daily, La Repubblica, the move for Luther Square began with a request by the Seventh-day Adventists, a Protestant denomination, to the City of Rome. Other reports indicate an unrelated request also came from the Lutheran Church for a Luther Square. The State Council of all Churches in the Roman territory met several times with municipal councillors and the office in charge and letters were written according to Dora Bognandi, former director of public affairs and religious liberty of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Italy.

The ceremony for the dedication of Luther Square was introduced and chaired by Dora Bognandi according to Evangelical Focus on their website. In her opening remarks, Ms. Bognandi stated, “It Is an important moment for Adventist, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Salvation Army and Waldensian Churches, who have promoted and worked for this day. It is an important moment for European citizens, because the Reformation of Martin Luther strongly influenced Western culture, and for the Italian institutions too. It is important for the Catholic Church, because the minorities often play a role of critical conscience that brings things to change.”

If you get an opportunity to visit Rome, be sure to visit Luther Square and reflect how your voice, your life too can be an agent for reform and change where needed for Jesus Christ. Remember too, Reformation Day, Oct. 31, is still celebrated in parts of Germany, in Chili as a national holiday and in some Protestant Churches.

Blessed Hope Fellowship is a Seventh-day Adventist Church. For more information, contact at blessedhopeaustinmn@gmail.com