September 14, 2012

Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi yesterday challenged his fellow members of the Inter Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO) "to recognise the body of Christ when we meet each other."

"When people look at us today, can they see beyond divisions within the Communion to recognise the body of Christ?" he asked, as the Commission gathered to take forward its work on deepening communion between the Churches of the Anglican Communion, and within the global Christian family.

IASCUFO's members were welcomed to Dublin, for their fourth meeting, by Mr Adrian Clements, the Church of Ireland's General Secretary. Enjoying the warm welcome of the Roman Catholic Emmaus Retreat Centre underlined the group's ecumenical responsibilities, while the experience of Ireland in its struggle for peace and reconciliation provided a challenging context for IASCUFO's own work and reflection on God's reconciling act in the cross of Christ and on the priority of the church's ministry of reconciliation.

Archbishop Ntahoturi spoke directly after arriving from Sarajevo, which he had visited as a guest of the Sant' Egidio Community, to share in their efforts of bringing hope where there was fear, in the spirit of the Assisi meeting of faith leaders. He reported on how their visit's theme, ‘Living Together is our Future' resonated with the decision of all communities to go forward in harmony, despite the devastating breakdown of relationships when the city had been under siege. In response, IASCUFO members reflected together on their own situations in which the healing hand of Christ had been experienced.

With 17 members present from across the globe, IASCUFO's 6-day meeting is continuing its broad work programme. This includes study of ways in which communion is best sustained through the formal Instruments of Communion. Members of the Commission are also sharing their visions for the Anglican Communion, affirming their commitment to promoting and enriching a common future, echoing Archbishop Bernard's challenge.

Anglican Communion News Service