"Detroit Report" on Ecumenical Posture and Goal Issued
Episcopal News Service. December 12, 1978 [78358]
William A. Norgren
NEW YORK, N. Y. -- Climaxing a preparatory process initiated by a 1976 General Convention resolution authorizing a study of the Episcopal Church's present ecumenical posture and future goals, the National Ecumenical Consultation met at Farmington Hills, Michigan (near Detroit), November 5-9, to prepare a report to the Episcopal Church. The report has now been issued to the public.
The "Detroit Report" begins with a description of the goal of visible unity the Episcopal Church seeks in its several dialogues, and an outline of the path to follow in order to reach the goal. The goal is "one eucharistic fellowship, a communion of communions, based upon mutual recognition of catholicity." The elements of this catholicity are spelled out as mutual recognition of members and ministers, sharing in the Eucharist, acknowledgement of each other as "belonging to the body of Christ at all places and at all times," proclaiming the Gospel with "one mind and purpose," and serving "the needs of humankind with mutual trust and dedication." For these ends "they will plan and decide together in assemblies constituted by authorized representatives whenever this is required."
The goal statement mentions matters on which further clarification is required, such as "the shape of the collegiality, conciliarity, authority and primacy" within the zone of the diocese with its parishes as well as nationally, regionally, and universally. Also requiring clarification are ways "the particular traditions of each of the communions will be maintained and developed" and how the Church will be "shaped by the particular histories and cultures within which she is called to fulfill her mission."
In this connection, the Report recommends that ways be found whereby the "partners in mission" approach now being developed within the Anglican Communion can be expressed also with other communions.
Although the Report concedes that the goal of visible unity will require long and steady growth, it urges: "We do not counsel patience.. .for steps can be taken here and now by each Christian and each church." Three paths leading to the goal are outlined: doctrinal consensus involving theological reflection widely by Episcopalians, "spiritual ecumenism" involving the life of prayer, and "partnership" involving the apostolate to the world. These are accompanied by a total of 27 recommendations for action.
The second major section of the Report begins with an affirmation of the principles on which our own unity is established in the Anglican Communion and which we propose as our principles for unity with other churches. The four principles are an amplification of the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886 and 1888. For example, the fourth point of the Quadrilateral on the historic episcopate is placed within the context of apostolicity as evidenced in continuity, not only with apostolic ministry but also with apostolic teaching and apostolic mission.
The principles of unity are followed by analyses and recommendations on the conversations with the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Churches, the Orthodox Church, and in the Consultation on Church Union. One result of these analyses is the recommendation that the Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogue and the Episcopal Church's participation in the Consultation on Church Union are not prejudicial to the AnglicanRoman Catholic dialogue: "All three dialogues are striving to promote the integral catholicity of Christ's pilgrim Church.... Proper balance in the Episcopal Church's commitment calls for dialogue with at least all three of these partners simultaneously." The dialogue with the Orthodox Church is seen as having potential to contribute to the other three dialogues.
The linking of "at least all three" of the dialogues is a significant development, particularly in light of the goal of "one eucharistic fellowship, a communion of communions." The linked resources of all three dialogues will be needed to bring a renewal of eucharistic life and practice as well as doctrinal consensus about the Eucharist, in order that the full meaning and relevance of the goal of eucharistic fellowship, as distinct from organizational and governmental merger, can emerge. This is particularly true where eucharistic practice in a communion has not kept abreast of its theological statements about the Eucharist.
Another significant development in the Report is the emphasis on what might be called the "vertical relationship" between the national, international, and local dialogues. The Episcopal Church will need to take an even fuller part in the international Anglican conversations and relationships with other world families of churches. The need can best be seen in light of the call at the 1978 Lambeth Conference for central organisms of the Anglican Communion through which all the member churches can participate more fully, to complement the strong authority held by conventions and synods of the constituent member churches.
Most urgent and necessary of all is that ecumenism be a local movement, so that the "vertical relationship" includes serious attention to diocesan and parish ecumenism. It is in the local churches that most meeting with other churches can take place. The development of doctrinal consensus, spiritual ecumenism, and partnership there may be the highest priority.
As preparation for the Consultation was the responsibility of three bodies, so also each of them will now ask how the "Detroit Report" may be implemented. The executive committee of the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers meets January 2224 to sort out priorities and goals in preparation for the April 23-26 annual meeting of the diocesan officers. The National and World Mission committee of Executive Council meets February 14-16 to ask what the Report can mean for its work in the next triennium and beyond. The Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations meets February 21-23 to prepare its triennial report and resolutions for action by General Convention September 8-20.
The Consultation's work centered in the daily Eucharist, with prayers for peace, mission, and unity. The Report was prepared by three section meetings:
- "Visible Unity: The Goal and the Way" chaired by Frank P. Foster with William Petersen as secretary
- "Anglican-Roman Catholic Visible Unity: Goals for the Next Ten Years" chaired by Bishop J. Stuart Wetmore with V. Nelle Bellamy as secretary
- and "The Future of the Dialogues" chaired by John H. Rodgers, Jr. with William Green as secretary. Bishop John H. Burt chaired the Consultation and William A. Norgren was coordinator.
Of the 67 participants, 57 represented a cross-section of Episcopalians working for Christian unity in different contexts and 10 were from other churches in dialogue with this church. A feature was that the main presentations were all given by nonEpiscopalians, thus complementing the reports prepared by Episcopalians on which the Consultation based its work.