The Roman Catholic Church endeared herself to the Anglican Communion when, at the Second Vatican Council, she affirmed that “the Anglican Communion occupies a special place,” (Decreed on Ecumenism par. 13)
One might point to ARCIC I, II and III as further exemplifying the fruits of that special ecclesial gesture of regard. More such evidence is seen in the genuine expressions of fraternity given and received by post Vatican II popes and succeeding Archbishops of Canterbury, one to another, since the time of Vatican II continuing to the present day. These encounters boarder on tearful longing for church unity.
We know that among the unresolved issues pushing the Anglican Communion to the breaking point is the clear and unequival objection of the Asian and African Anglican Communion, in competition with the Church of the developed West, over the issues of sexual ethics.
The world will want to listen-in on the gathering of Archbishop Justin Welby and the Anglican Primates, representing the world wide communion when he gathers them in Canterbury in January, 2016. The outcome could prove to be a tipping point as recently expressed by Stephen Bates, in the 30, 2015 September issue of The Tablet. Bates noted that “such a meeting could mean, ultimately, an abandonment of full Communion . . . in recognition of the fact that the twenty-year struggle by successive archbishops of Canterbury to reconcile Churches with fundamental differences over sexual ethic and particularly homosexuality, cannot be achieved”.
Given the serious and precarious set of circumstances in the hands of the Anglican Communion, the question might be asked, is the Roman Catholic Church doing enough while Anglicanism is wrenchingly left to sort out its internal problems?
As a Church which publically expresses endearment for her ‘sister church’ (see note on the expression “sister churches” by the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, especially par.11.), can involvement without interference, on the part of the Roman Catholic Church, provide some positive resolved toward neutralizing the state of the present problem? Minimally, what would it be like if the Anglican Primates were to request from conferences of bishops within their region to engage in prayerful support by asking such bishops throughout the world to invite their pastors to join with local Anglican communities in common prayer to assist with the future visioning of the Anglican Communion? Could Pope Francis even play a role? Or, is it too late? When partners in dialogue are experiencing difficulty should it not be expected that the other dialogue partner would come to the assistance of the one in need?
Rev. Damian MacPherson, SA, Friar of the Atonement, Director for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, Canada
Loading ...
