September 14, 2007
by Martin Barillas

The Anglican Communion Office and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity released their definitive report on decades of ecumenical discussions. Report comments on issues such as cooperation and the Eucharist.

The Anglican Communion news service reported that on September 14, the Anglican Communion Office and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity's Information Service released a definitive text of the report of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM).

The report, entitled "Growing Together in the Unity and Mission," offers a concise summary of 40 years of Anglican-Roman Catholic theological dialogue. It sets out both areas of convergence and agreement, as well as outstanding areas of difficulty and continuing dialogue. It then proceeds to explore how Anglicans and Roman Catholics can work together towards Christian unity and in practical initiatives.

Accompanying the text are commentaries by Anglican Bishop Paul Richardson of Newcastle, Wales, and Roman Catholic Bishop Bernard Longley, of Westminster, England. The text of the general report commences by saying, "Anglicans and Roman Catholics agree that God desires the visible unity of all Christian people and that such unity is itself part of our witness."

The report provides a history of Anglican-Catholic discussions ever since the historic 1966 meeting of Pope Paul VI and Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey that commenced inter-ecclesial meetings. Further on, the report encourages joint action by Anglican and Catholic clergy and laity in spreading the Gospel and in charitable. It also sets out common beliefs on the issue of the Eucharist – their central act of worship and faith – while it set discusses Anglican reservations over such practices as Eucharistic Adoration.

The Publication and accompanying commentaries are available here: http://www.aco.org/ecumenical/dialogues/rc/index.cfm – Ecumenical Affairs and Studies

Order of Corporate Reunion
Martin Barillas is a former US diplomat and human rights observer who served in Latin America, Europe, and the US. He is Religion News editor for Spero News and blogs at: http://www.speroforum.com/blog/index.asp?wa=39.