Anglicans and other religious leaders reacted strongly against the document Dominus Iesus, released by the Roman Catholic Church in early September. The document emphasizes the long-held Roman Catholic view that salvation and redemption are possible only through the Roman church.

The Most Rev. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, said the document does not "fully reflect the deeper understanding that has been achieved through ecumenical dialogue and cooperation during the past 30 years. Even though the document is not part of that process, the idea that Anglican and other churches are not 'proper churches' seems to question the considerable ecumenical gains we have made.

"Of course, the Church of England, and the worldwide Anglican Communion, does not for one moment accept that its orders of ministry and Eucharist are deficient in any way," he added. "It believes itself to be a part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Christ, in whose name it serves and bears witness, here and around the world."

The Rt. Rev. Fred Borsch, Bishop of Los Angeles, was concerned about the tone of the statement. "Its reference to other churches not being proper churches seems reflective of a more recent un-ecumenical attitude in the Vatican hierarchy - especially in its teaching to its own members. It is not characteristic of our relations with many Roman Catholics here and in other places in the world."

The House of Bishops of the Church of Ireland, meeting in Dublin, said the declaration "appears to represent a retreat from much of the ecumenical progress that has been experienced by many communities throughout Ireland." The Irish bishops noted they had written to Roman Catholic officials in Ireland seeking "urgent clarification" of their views.

The Rt. Rev. Paul Barnett, Bishop of North Sydney (Australia), said he strongly disagreed with the section of the declaration that argues other churches are not churches "in the proper sense," and added, "Anglicans believe that they are part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Christ, and that they do not accept there is any question about the invalidity of Anglican orders or sacraments."