Continued Participation Asked
Diocesan Press Service. June 8, 1964 [XXII-9]
The Joint Commission on Approaches to Unity at its meeting May 11 in New York prepared its report to the General Convention, seeking approval to continue participation in the Consultation on Church Union.
The Joint Commission under its chairman, the Rt. Rev. Robert T. Gibson, Bishop of Virginia and new chairman of the Consultation on Church Union is reporting the Consultation's request that each church seek authorization to prepare a plan of union. The Commission does not recommend its adoption by General Convention at this time for several reasons.
The report did note that "the rapid advance in ecumenical concern that has characterized all Christian communions - Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant alike --- in the last few years, has immeasurably strengthened the hand of those who seek a united church which would be truly Catholic as well as truly Reformed and truly Evangelical."
Responding to April's third Consultation at Princeton, Bishop Gibson disclosed that on June 17 theologians from the churches involved would meet at the Episcopal Church Center in New York to recommend areas of study for next April's plenary session on the ministry. The Episcopal delegate will be the Rev. William Wolf of the Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Mass.
On June 18 the Executive Committee of the Consultation will also meet at the Center.
In its report to General Convention, the Joint Commission recognized the service of the late Rev. Charles D. Kean. It also noted approval of the Joint Commission on Ecumenical Relations' resolution to General Convention to form one official ecumenical commission.
The report also highlighted activities since 1961 with the Philippine Independent Church, particularly noting progress in that Church.