Ecumenical Relations Commission Presents Resolutions
Diocesan Press Service. July 31, 1970 [89-15]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Resolutions from the Episcopal Church's Joint Commission on Ecumenical Relations to the Church's coming 63rd General Convention reveal wide Episcopal Church involvement in the ecumenical movement.
The Convention is to be held October 11 to 22 at Houston, Tex., when the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies are expected to make key decisions affecting the Episcopal Church's relationships with the Consultation on Church Union, the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox communions, and others.
Two milestones in the ecumenical movement, both achieved in 1970, will call for action by the Episcopalians.
One is the publication of "A Plan of Union for the Church of Christ Uniting" by nine denominations participating in C. O. C. U.
The C. O. C. U. plan envisages a form of unification for nine major American non-Roman Catholic churches, including Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians.
The other is the recent Anglican-Roman Catholic statement asserting that the ultimate goal of conversations between Episcopalians and Roman Catholics which have been going on for the past six years will be "full communion and organic unity. "
Study and criticism of "A Plan of Union" will be urged in a resolution to be presented to the Convention by the Joint Commission on Ecumenical Relations. The Convention also will be asked to authorize continued participation by the Joint Commission in the development of a C. O. C. U. plan of union, which is expected to be revised in 1972 following a two-year study of the "Plan of Union" by the participating Churches.
Local ecumenical small groups, using cooperatively-produced materials, are being proposed for all of the participating Churches in which American Baptists and Roman Catholics will also be invited to participate. In addition to the C. O. C. U. materials, there will also be study papers used, published by the Roman Catholic ecumenical office.
The Anglican-Roman Catholic statement called for "spiritual ecumenism" and proposed joint clergy conferences, the sharing of theological education, cooperation between the two communions in national and Diocesan programs and joint retreats and conferences.
A first meeting of Episcopalians and Roman Catholic Bishops was recently held near Kansas City, Kans.
Other resolutions from the Commission will deal with:
The appointment of a joint commission to study the question of ordination of women.
Widening of the authorization for Bishops and episcopally ordained priests of the Church of South India to celebrate the Holy Communion in American Episcopal Churches.
Welcome to united Churches in North India, Lanka and Pakistan.
The Commission also will report on work which has gone on in relationships with Lutherans, Pentecostals, conservative Evangelicals and Jewish groups.