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Episcopal Church Facing Major Ecumenical Decisions -- In a Climate of Indifference

Episcopal News Service. December 12, 1995 [95-1327]

(ENS) After 25 years of official theological dialogue with the Lutherans, the Episcopal Church stands on the brink of a major ecumenical breakthrough as it considers the "Concordat of Agreement," a proposal that both churches enter "full communion." So far, however, the proposal, which could open some stunning new possibilities for ministry together, is languishing in a pool of ignorance, according to reports at a meeting of the church's Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations (SCER).

"Ignorance and apathy are more dangerous than hostility to the Concordat's proposals for full communion," Midge Roof, president of the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers said at the commission's October meeting in Minneapolis. Despite more than 30 regional covenants, and over 50 examples of Lutheran and Episcopal parishes sharing facilities, "vast numbers of Episcopalians -- including many who will make the decision at the 1997 General Convention -- are unaware or indifferent to the proposals."

Roof lamented the fact that, even in dioceses engaged in years of dialogue, "the news isn't out, souls have not caught fire, and diocesan structures and congregations remain completely unaffected."

"We face a crucial challenge of educating people in our church about the implications of this decision before the General Convention votes," said the Rev. David Perry, the church's ecumenical officer.

Important for ecumenical movement

"This dialogue and the Concordat proposals it has produced is something very special, precious and delicate -- and incredibly important for the ecumenical movement," Prof. Gunther Gassmann of Germany, a Lutheran who is former head of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, told the commission. "One can tremble, but also pray with hope, that the Concordat will go through and be a good response to those who still doubt the value of dialogue."

The two churches have been sharing the Eucharist, based on a 1982 agreement, but the Concordat would recognize a common ministry and allow interchangeability of clergy, including bishops. Lutherans would also accept the historic episcopate, as recognized by some Lutherans in European churches, by including at least three Episcopal bishops in future consecrations of its own bishops.

Most of the stated opposition among Lutherans at this point swirls around the introduction of the historic episcopate. "It is forcing Lutherans to look at who they are, not only here but also in an international context," Bishop Ralph Kempski of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) said during a discussion. "You force us to face the issues of how our ministry is ordered," added Dr. William Rusch, who was the ELCA's ecumenical officer until the office was recently reorganized. One of the obstacles that has emerged is the misconception that the Concordat is calling for some kind of merger of the two churches. "Once you get beyond the prospect that we are talking about the merger of the two churches, people are quite receptive," observed Bishop Harry Shipps, retired bishop of Georgia.

Relations with Roman Catholics are murky

While a major breakthrough in relations with Lutherans looms, relations between Episcopalians/Anglicans and Roman Catholics are much more complicated.

A national and international dialogue that goes back to 1965 has stalled and "we simply don't know what to do next," Prof. William Franklin of The General Theological Seminary reported to the commission. As a participant in the dialogue, he said that "there is a perception that things are frozen in place, that no progress is being made."

Franklin contended that the recent papal encyclical is "forcefully committed to ecumenism" but Pope John Paul II does not seem to recognize how much progress has been made in the dialogues over the last 30 years. "We just don't seem to be on his map at this point -- and that's not good."

"The sociological pressure for ecumenism is real," added Dr. Alma Marsh Morgan, especially as the Roman Catholics continue to close churches and lose priestly leadership. "The pressure is perking up from below."

"The laity is getting impatient -- they don't understand the obstacles and restraints coming from above and they find it hard to accept the painful reality that we cannot share the Eucharist," added the Rev. Ashton Brooks of New York.

In a resolution, the SCER decided to ask Episcopal members of the dialogue with Roman Catholics in America to prepare a draft statement on "authority in the church," especially as it relates to "the authority of the baptized, the authority of bishops, and the authority of the universal primate," the pope. "The statement should describe the kind of universal primacy the Episcopal Church might find acceptable, helpful and consistent with its theological heritage."

[thumbnail: Episcopalians and Luthera...]