COCU Takes Step Toward Clergy Recognition
Episcopal News Service. March 22, 1979 [79089]
Cincinnati -- Representatives of the 10 member-churches of the Consultation on Church Union took a major step toward the mutual recognition of ministers near the end of its 14th plenary session here March 6-9.
The 200 delegates, including 10 from the Episcopal Church, sent the 22-page draft statement offered by the theological commission back to that body for re-editing with the hope that the Consultation could reconvene soon -- with as many of the same representatives as possible -- to affirm the document. If the reconvened meeting, which could take place as early as January, 1980, approves the proposal that would be the basis for establishing a common ministry, the document would be sent to the member-church for their consent.
The approved proposal is hierarchical and recognizes three categories of ordination: bishop, presbyter and deacon. Several of the member-churches, including the Episcopal Church, already have bishops and all of them have an equivalent of presbyter (priest/parish minister). The office of deacon is accepted by some churches and is receiving renewed interest and undergoing study in several areas. The document proposed further study of the diaconate.
Ordained lay persons -- such as ruling elders in the two Presbyterian churches -- play a significant role in some communions and the Consultation document calls upon members to adopt something like this.
Most church unions in Canada and elsewhere did not recognize a mutual ministry before their denominational organizations merged, according to Dr. Gerald Moede, secretary general of the Consultation. He said that the Consultation on Church Union would be innovative if its member-churches were able to agree on a mutual recognition of ministers as well as members before the organizational merger into the proposed Church of Christ Uniting.
Dr. Rachel Henderlite, president of the Consultation, said it could be the mid-1980s before member-churches agree on a common ministry. However, the worship commission is developing a liturgy in which the anticipated agreement will be celebrated.
If such a plan should be approved by Consultation delegates in early 1980, the first opportunity for the Episcopal Church's General Convention to consider it would be in the fall of 1982.
Delegates to the plenary also approved recommendations for broadening and implementing the mutual recognition of membership which the Consultation had approved in principle in Cincinnati in 1974.
The General Convention of the Episcopal Church received the mutual recognition of members proposal in 1976 and asked its Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations "to continue to stimulate and monitor" a study of the statement and to report to the 1979 Convention in Denver.
Bishop John M. Krumm of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio said that the General Convention this fall will not be asked to give final ratification to the proposal on the mutual recognition of members but he expects the House of Bishops to discuss it. He said the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers may have opportunity to discuss the proposal as well.
One recommendation approved by the Consultation was to encourage member-churches to share in certain rites of the church, such as baptism, confirmation, communion and ordination. The delegates also approved a recommendation that facilities be shared and members from the various churches be invited to attend regional and national conventions of other bodies.
The proposed guidelines would make it easier for members to cross denominational lines but at the same time would preserve denominational diversity in traditional forms of liturgy and ministry.
The proposals on the mutual recognition of membership are to be referred to the member-churches for discussion and ratification.
Bishop Krumm said he felt the document on the mutual recognition of ministers was "constructive. " He said he was "very gratified by the document" even though it stills needs some work, especially on the section dealing with the diaconate. He noted a "lack of acrimony" at the meeting and said he felt the Consultation has "moved forward."
He said that the Rev. John Hotchkin, a Roman Catholic observer invited by the Episcopalians, said the ministry document was in line with the agreements reached by the Anglicans and Roman Catholics in their recent statement.
The members of the Consultation on Church Union are the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Disciples of Christ, the Episcopal Church, the National Council of Community Churches, the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
Members of the Episcopal Church delegation to the plenary are Bishop Krumm of Southern Ohio; Bishop John H. Burt of Ohio; Bishop David B. Reed of Kentucky; Bishop Donald J. Parsons of Quincy; the Rev. Richard Norris of New York City; the Rev. William H. Petersen of Nashotah, Wis.; the Rev. John Bonner of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mrs. Phebe Hoff of Richmond, Va.; Mrs. Cynthia Wedel of Alexandria, Va.; and Mr. Peter Day of New York City.
Alternates in the Episcopal Church delegation who contributed to the discussions were Bishop Robert M. Anderson of Minnesota, the Rev. Carlton Gamble of Cincinnati, and Mrs. Bonnie Macauley of Dayton.