450 Attend Berchtesgaden Conference
Diocesan Press Service. June 8, 1964 [XXII-4]
Four hundred and fifty Episcopalians came from as far away as Iceland and Turkey to attend the 10th annual conference at Berchtesgaden, Germany, April 27 through May 1.
The conference wove together several themes: mutual responsibility, conflict, and ecumenical relations. Authorities on these themes were among the leadership. Bishop Bayne, Anglican executive officer, preached on the Mutual Responsibility document and its meaning. Bishop Corrigan, director of National Council's Home Department, devoted his lectures to a study of conflict and its relationship to the eucharist. The Rev. Canon Bernard Pawley, Church of England observer at the Vatican Council, and several Bishops of the Old Catholic Church contributed to the ecumenical nature of the conference.
In his lectures, Bishop Corrigan stressed that in our passions and conflicts lies the key to our communion with Christ. Only as individuals suffer can they find meaning in the eucharist. Christians cannot keep Jesus on a peaceful mountain top and expect him to enter their lives.
Other leaders were the Rev. Anthony Bridge, rector of Christ Church, Lancester Gate, London, who handled question and answer periods, and Chaplain (Major) Harry G. Campbell, United States Army, the director.
This conference, sponsored by the Armed Forces Division of National Council, began as a retreat for chaplains. Later it was decided to open it to all. This year 350 military personnel or members of their families and 100 civilians took advantage of the opportunity.
Among the highlights of the conference was the celebration of the eucharist one morning by an Old Catholic Bishop in German, and a farewell dinner for Bishop and Mrs. Bayne.