Last week’s visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Anglican primates and bishops to Rome marked 50 years of ecumenical dialogue. But one important issue remains unsolved
San Gregorio al Celio is tucked away between the Caelian and Palatine Hills in Rome, the church where St Augustine was prior of its Benedictine monastery before being sent out by the then Pope Gregory to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity. It was this historic connection that led it to be adopted by Anglicans and Catholics for ecumenical celebrations. And it was appropriate last week that those arriving for the latest event marking closer ecumenical dialogue – vespers with Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby – should have to climb the wide but steep staircase before the church to reach the service. For the journey to attain the clear affection evident between Catholics and Anglicans today has been a hard and at times uphill struggle. Fifty years ago, relations were polite, if distant. There was suspicion on both sides. There were divisions over doctrine, liturgy, holy orders, marriage and the raising of children.
Then came the landmark event – the 1966 meeting between the then archbishop, Michael Ramsey, and Paul VI in the wake of the Second Vatican Council – that led to a rapprochement. The highly significant moment of that encounter was when Paul VI gave Michael Ramsey his episcopal ring. It was a sign of closer union and the promise of future dialogue.
