NORTHERN INDIANA: Introduction to Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue offered to dioceses
Episcopal News Service. June 3, 2008 [060308-06]
Bishop Edward Little of Northern Indiana and his Roman Catholic counterpart Bishop John D'Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend jointly sponsored an event, titled "An Introduction to the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue," on May 28 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in South Bend.
"It was a joy for me to welcome Bishop John D'Arcy in what we hope will be the first of many helpful and positive discussions," said Little.
During the evening event, which began with prayer in the church, both bishops underscored the need for closer ties and better understanding of one another's churches. This was followed by a church supper and presentations by Mary Reath, chairman of the American Friends of the Anglican Centre in Rome, and Lawrence S. Cunningham, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame.
Reath's presentation focused on the importance of local clergy and laity beginning to receive and study the work of the 40-year-old Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue and relationship. "It is time to break down the very big theological agreements into stages of reception, so that these agreements can become part of the daily life in the churches," she said. "Embittered relations have surely run their course, especially in today's world of ever more intricate networks."
Cunningham's talk emphasized the importance of both theological dialogue and working together locally. He pointed out that the Anglican Communion is in the midst of sorting out its own identity, especially regarding its internal authority. He ended by quoting from Diocese of Salisbury Bishop David Stancliffe's book, "The Pilgrim Prayerbook," and noting that "all true ecumenism must root itself radically in the life of prayer, without which ecumenical discussion reduces itself to an intellectual exercise."
A question-and-answer session following the presentations and the evening concluded with Little and Mother Teunisje Velthuizen, rector of Holy Trinity, leading the group in Compline.