Canterbury Archdeacon Faults World Press
Episcopal News Service. March 3, 1977 [77081]
The Rev. William T. Patten, Diocese of Tennessee
MONTEAGLE, Tenn. -- "The most hindrance" to Christian unity comes from the press, says the Ven. Bernard Pawley, Archdeacon of Canterbury. The Archdeacon made this comment during a retreat and conference he conducted Feb. 17-19 at DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, Tenn. Taking part were some 50 clergymen from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville and the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.
As an example of press hindrance, Canon Pawley cited failure to report the immense strides being made by Pope Paul VI to undergird ecumenism and the Pope's determination to carry on the ecumenical thrust inaugurated by the Second Vatican Council.
In the press "Pope Paul is shown to his worst advantage," said the Archdeacon, a prime observer of and participant in Anglican-Roman Catholic (A/RC) events since the 1940's.
Calling the recent history of A/RC mutual understanding "a wonderful tale to have to tell," Canon Pawley termed the decisions of some Anglican national churches to ordain women to the priesthood something of a "hiccup" in current discussions.
"Although the present official position of Catholics is totally opposed," he added, "there are signs that this might not always be so. "
The highly-placed Church of England priest impressed his hearers as warm, humble, and uncommonly knowledgeable; he spiced his report with humor, caricatures, and compliments, calling Pope John "one of the saints of our generation."
The "extraordinary tale" he told of A/RC advances toward possible union was one of rich and remarkable progress "with rather a long way still to go." He would make no predictions, either short- or long-term.
Canon Pawley's Tennessee visit was arranged by the Rev. Dr. John H. Bonner, Jr., of Chattanooga, who chairs both Tennessee's ecumenical commission and the nationwide Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers. The guest spoke at several Tennessee parishes also, during his month-long U.S.A. sojourn.