Archbishop Baum Hopes for Full Communion
Diocesan Press Service. March 7, 1975 [75096]
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Full communion is the major goal of the ecumenical movement, in spite of complexities and frustrations, according to Archbishop William W. Baum of Washington, D.C.
Addressing the 245 delegates to the ecumenical National Workshop on Christian Unity February 18-21, as chairman of the Bishops' Committee on Ecumenical and Inter- religious Affairs, he said that the complexity of ecumenical progress can lead to impatience and frustration. He said that the Christian churches should not settle for "marginal collaboration and a standard of civility among ourselves. "
These goals, the Roman Catholic prelate said, have already been achieved in many places, but they are not an adequate response to Christ's prayer that his followers be one.
He said he hopes the resulting frustration from the slow progress in ecumenical matters will not "scale down our hopes for eventual full communion of Christians." Archbishop Baum said that the existing divisions among Christian churches are "draining our witness to the word of credibility."
He noted that ecumenical progress has been made over the past year or so, specifically, dialogues involving the Roman Catholic Church with Anglicans, Lutherans, the Reformed, and the Orthodox. Also, he pointed out, the 1975 Holy Year proclaimed by Pope Paul stresses unity.
Most of the 70 Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers who met for two days prior to the National Workshop remained as participants in that ecumenical meeting.