PittsburghCatholic.org - As a sign that animosity can heal into friendship, Catholic and Lutheran leaders in southwestern Pennsylvania are holding a shared commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

The first event will be “An Evening of Repentance” for harm done by followers of each tradition to the other. A public prayer service is set for Tuesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. in St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road in Munhall.

Events and reflections related to the 500th anniversary can be found on the Facebook page “Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the Way in Southwestern Pennsylvania!” (http://bit.ly/500yrsELCACath).

The Reformation, which tore apart Western Christianity, began Oct. 31, 1517, when a monk named Martin Luther issued a public challenge to a list of Catholic doctrines and practices. Luther was excommunicated, sparking religious and political conflict that played out in wars and persecution.

Read the full artice at Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper.