Iberian Churches Request Membership In the Anglican Communion
Episcopal News Service. March 23, 1978 [78084]
Libson, Portugal -- A consultation held here recommended that the two Iberian churches be "fully integrated as dioceses within the Anglican Communion" so that they "may participate as full members of the worldwide family of churches. "
The Lusitanian and Spanish Reformed Episcopal Churches began late last century when some members became dissatisfied with developments in the Roman Catholic Church.
Both churches have adopted Anglican doctrine, order and liturgy but were never considered as parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
In 1961 both churches signed a concordat agreement of full inter-communion with the Episcopal Church in the United States followed by other Anglican churches.
The consultation affirmed that, following many years of political difficulties and even oppression, modern Spain and Portugal have become "areas for mission" like much of Europe and that "the Anglican tradition has its place in this work. " Consequently, the consultation made a strong plea and suggestions for a renewed emphasis on mission and evangelism.
In the final statement the consultation recommended that "training for social responsibilities" be made available to members of the Church, due to the new climate in which the countries find themselves as a result of the transformations of the last several years.
The recommendations now will be referred to the appropriate bodies in the Anglican Communion. It is probable that the Conference of Lambeth, to be held this summer in England, will take some action in regard to the petition for membership in the Anglican Communion.
If carried out, this will be the first case in Anglican history when another church is "adopted" by the worldwide family.
The consultation, sponsored by the London-based Anglican Consultative Council, was part of the Partners in Mission movement which brings together sister churches to discuss their priorities and opportunities for mission.
There were present representatives of the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church, the Lusitanian Church, the Church of Ireland, and the Episcopal Church in the U. S.A., as well as members of the Anglican Council of South America, the Spanish and Portuguese Aid Society of England, the Anglican Consultative Council, the Anglican Diocese of Fulham and Gibraltar and the Union of Utrecht (Old Catholics). The consultation ended here March 10.
The Episcopal Church delegates were the Rt. Rev. John M. Krumm, Bishop of Southern Ohio and the Rev. William A. Norgren, Assistant Ecumenical Officer of the Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Canon Edmond Olifiers, Jr. of the Diocese of Long Island, as consultant.