ACU Urges Convening of World-Wide Catholic Council
Diocesan Press Service. July 21, 1975 [75255]
PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. -- Steps have been taken to work toward the convening of a World-wide Council of the Church Catholic to deal with the question of the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate.
In making the announcement, the Rev. Canon Charles H. Osborn, Executive Director of the American Church Union, cited the continuing controversy over this matter as evidence of the inconclusive and divisive effect such a decision would have if taken unilaterally by a segment of Catholic Christendom.
"The recent joint statement made by Archbishop Etchegaray of Marseilles for the Roman Catholic Church and Metropolitan Nikodim of Leningrad and Novgorod for the Russian Orthodox Church (RNS July 8, 1975) is clear indication there is no consensus concerning this fundamental aspect of the Church. To decide to alter the traditional priesthood of the Catholic Church without a Catholic consensus, " said Canon Osborn, " is to change one of the essential hallmarks of Catholicity and calls into serious question the intent of the group so deciding to remain Catholic."
A resolution to implement the call for such a Council is presently being circulated. The American Church Union is a national body of Catholic-minded Episcopal bishops, clergy and lay people.