May 14, 2005

SEATTLE, Washington – An international delegation of Anglicans and Roman Catholics will convene in Seattle May 16 to release a joint statement of understanding on the place of Mary in the doctrine and life of the Church. The document, titled Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ, represents the first major agreed statement by a formal international dialogue between two Christian world communions on this important aspect of Christian faith and devotion.

The statement draws together the fruits of five years of work by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), a dialogue officially sponsored by the Anglican Consultative Council and by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Further information may be found online at http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/39/50/acns3974.cfm.

Episcopal News Service