Norgren Named Associate Ecumenical Officer
Episcopal News Service. October 18, 1979 [79290]
New York -- The Rev. William A. Norgren, Assistant Ecumenical Officer since 1975, has been named by Presiding Bishop John M. Allin as Associate Ecumenical Officer at the Episcopal Church Center to carry on the work of Peter Day, who retired September 30.
The Rev. William L. Weiler, who recently opened the Episcopal Church's Ecumenical Office in Washington, will work closely with Father Norgren. Father Weiler, as Associate Ecumenical Officer for Washington Affairs, serves as liaison to ecumenical and governmental agencies as well as performing other ecumenical responsibilities in the nation's capital.
Father Norgren will assist the Presiding Bishop, World Mission in Church and Society and other units of the Church Center, the Executive Council and the General Convention's Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations in ecumenical matters. The Commission is engaged in a variety of dialogues looking toward unity, including those with the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Churches, the Consultation on Church Union, and local dialogues with Southern Baptists.
He is the coordinator of the Episcopal Church's complex relationships with the National Council of Churches, the Joint Strategy and Action Committee, and the World Council of Churches. He also serves the concerns of the network of the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers.
"I regard it as a privilege to continue the ministry so well begun," Father Norgren said, "and I look forward to exploring the new paths ahead with colleagues in the dioceses, the Episcopal Church Center, the Anglican Communion, the other communions and beyond."
A native of Frosburg, Md., Father Norgren was Executive Director of the Commission on Faith and Order at the National Council of Churches from 1959 to 1971. He was on the staff of Trinity Parish in New York until coming to the Episcopal Church Center.
Father Norgren was an advisor at the World Council of Churches assemblies in 1961 and 1968 and served as an observer at the Second Vatican Council from 1963 to 1965. Since 1965 he has been secretary of the Anglican/Orthodox Joint Doctrinal Discussions.
His publications include Living Room Dialogues; editor of Meanings and Practices of Conversion and of Evangelism in a Pluralistic Society; and Forum: Religious Faith Speaks to American Issues.