Relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England were strengthened by the Pope’s visit, according to leading Anglican bishops, writes Victoria Combe.
The Bishop of Oxford and the Bishop of Guildford both spoke of the positive impact the papal visit will have on strengthening ties between the denominations.
The Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, said he was struck by the emphasis on “common stories and friendship” by both the Pope and Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
The Rt Rev Christopher Hill, of Guildford, a passionate ecumenist, said the visit had “given real encouragement to local churches to work together”. He also said Pope Benedict’s visit had helped heal any hurt felt among bishops about the Vatican’s proposal for an Anglican Ordinariate.
I think the thing I took away from watching these events was the enormous pleasure people from the two churches took in each others company. That must be a good thing among Christians. Let’s hope it continues and grows productively. A lot of cobwebs got blown away.