This 500th anniversary of the Reformation comes at a very interesting, delicate time for the Catholic Church, and in particularly the papacy of Papa Francesco.  The Catholic Church - especially its ruling hierarchy and priesthood - stands in need of a reformation just as dramatic and critical as it was in Luther's day.  Papa Francesco seems to understand this.

If Catholics and Lutherans begin worshipping together, there are numerous opportunities for cross-pollenation between the sectarian religious cousins.  Could it be that Catholics will discover that we don't need their dangerously alienated and hopelessly irrelevant hierarchy anymore?  That we don't need our celibate priesthood anymore?

Perhaps after 500 years, Luther's intended goal of reforming the church's hierarchy may come to pass.   We can only hope.