March 8, 2007

MADRID – The Anglican Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council (AOCICC) met in the Monasterio de Benedictinas de la Natividad de Nuestra Se F1ora in Madrid from 5 to 9 March. This was the first meeting following the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Bonn Agreement in 2006. The Council reviewed the events held during the anniversary year, reflecting on the stimulus this has given to closer joint life and mission.

The members reviewed the present ecumenical dialogues with which our Communions are engaged and proposed either joint discussions with common ecumenical dialogue partners or the possibility of sending observers to dialogues involving our sister Communion, where appropriate.

Three major papers were presented on Anglican and Old Catholic ecclesiological understanding. These theological reflections were complemented by reports on the present level of collaboration between Old Catholic and Anglican communities and future closer partnerships between churches of both traditions. This discussion took into account the outstanding issue of parallel jurisdictions mainly in continental Europe. The Council took note of the evolution of terms such as inter-communion, full communion and visible unity in describing the relationship between our Churches since 1931. Further work on a common statement of ecclesiological understanding, including missiological dimensions to the Church's life, was commissioned.

Initial considerations were shared on the variety of approaches to the challenges posed by changing sexual ethics in our societies.

The Council was grateful for the presence of Bishop Pierre Whalon, the Bishop-in-charge of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, as a guest at this meeting.

Daily morning and evening prayer were celebrated and each morning a bible study was led by a member of the Council. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated at the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Cathedral of the Redeemer, with the Rt Revd Carlos L F3pez Lozano presiding. Afterwards the Council was hosted at a reception given by the Cathedral congregation.

The members of the Anglican Old Catholic International Co-ordination Council are:

Anglicans – The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill – Co-Chair; The Revd Canon Gregory K Cameron – Co-Secretary; The Rt Revd David Hamid, Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese in Europe; Mrs Maryon J E4gers; The Revd Dr Jeremy Morris; Administrative Support: The Revd Terrie Robinson.

Old Catholic – The Rt Revd Fritz-Ren E9 M FCller – Co-Chair; The Revd Professor Dr Angela Berlis – Co-Secretary; The Revd Professor David R Holeton; The Revd Dr Harald Rein; The Revd Dr Dick Schoon; Administrative Support: The Revd Lars Simpson.

Anglican Communion News Service, London