Episcopal Press and News
Ecumenical Officers Meet
Episcopal News Service. May 5, 1988 [88092]
PORTLAND, Oreg. (DPS, May 5) -- At the annual meeting of the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers (EDEO) here Apr. 11-14, the Very Rev. Charles S. Womelsdorf was elected EDEO President. Womelsdorf is rector of St. John's Church in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and was elected to a two-year term, succeeding the Rev. Canon Henry A. Male, Jr.
The annual meeting of EDEO is scheduled within the framework of the National Workshop in Christian Unity. Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning preached at the National Workshop's opening liturgy on Monday, Apr. 11. On Tuesday morning, Apr. 12, Browning joined Herbert Chilstrom, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), in celebrating the Eucharist. The two bishops also jointly issued "A Pastoral Word on Lutheran-Episcopal Relations," which announced the completion and release of the Lutheran-Episcopal dialogue report, "Implications of the Gospel". According to Browning and Chilstrom, the document's "most noteworthy feature is that our two traditions here find it is possible to say so much together and in a fresh way about the implications of the Gospel for our faith and life." The document, including a study guide, will be published jointly by Forward Movement and Fortress Press. The two churches are asked to carefully study, evaluate, and pray about the document, to see whether it can be received as a faithful expression of the Gospel and a step toward full communion. "Implications of the Gospel" also includes several sections of specific recommendations that may be implemented prior to full communion.
On Wednesday, Apr. 13, EDEO members joined their Roman Catholic colleagues from the National Association of Diocesan Ecumenical Officers (NADEO) for lunch. Dr. R. William Franklin, a member of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (SCER) and of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation (ARC), and a professor at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn., addressed the group on the topic "Apostolicae Curae: A New Look."
Two other major presentations during the annual meeting were given by the Rev. Dr. Richard A. Norris, Jr., of Union Theological Seminary on the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) "Consensus" document, and by Bishop Edward Jones of Indianapolis, chairman of the SCER, on General Convention ecumenical issues.
