The third phase of ARCIC, or Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, starts up on Tuesday at the monastery of Bose in northern Italy.
Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, the monastery, founded on the closing day of the Second Vatican Council in December 1965, is a haven of peaceful reflection and prayer, but also a place of important ecumenical encounters. Within its secluded walls, the two teams of Catholic and Anglican experts are gathered from May 17th to 27th focusing on the theme ”˜Church as Communion ”“ local and universal.’ The discussions will look back at achievements of the previous ARCIC,dialogues and explore pressing ethical issues that are challenging the teaching of both Churches.
To find out more, Philippa Hitchen spoke to the two co-secretaries of the meeting – Msgr. Mark Langham of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and Alyson Barnett-Cowan, head of the Unity, Faith and Order office of the Anglican Communion….
Road Trip!
I can’t imagine what they have to talk about. Road trip and photo op.
And how odd that the Anglican rep is a female, when one of the major issues between the two churches is women in the priesthood and episcopate.
Re #2
Chris,
You hit the nail on the head. What is the objective of this dialogue? It seems to be more endless dialogue for dialogue’s sake. The AC has moved so far from Rome that I really am having a hard time seeing this as anything other than an excuse to rack up some frequent flyer miles. From my POV there is nothing to talk about anymore.
The problem with Rome is that in the sharp swing from the hard nosed attitudes of their pre-Vatican II worldview they have now gone so far in the other direction that they appear to be unable (for fear of offending?) to say “we have nothing in common on which to base a serious dialogue.” The RCC just needs to say “we gave it a shot and things didn’t work out. It’s time to admit to irreconcilable differences and move on.”
Back when I was a staunch Anglican, I assumed Rome had much to learn. But I was young and foolish. I eventually came to realize that despite all the talking, talking, talking, not a single agreement had bee acted upon and formally adopted – indeed neither Church had budged an inch. Nor would Rome ever do so. The Anglican Church flaps in the wind like laundry blown off the line so who knows about them. There is one thing that the Anglican communion squeezes out of these tea parties that it craves desperately and that is an ounce of legitimacy. Like Nora Desmond as she was arrested, no grasp of the real events unfolding but, oh, a camera! I’m ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille!
Re #5
Nikolaus
LOL! I agree with most of what you posted but would quibble about one line. You said neither church had budged an inch. I don’t agree. The Anglicans have moved quite a bit.. and they are still moving.
I would quibble another. While Rome won’t admit to changing in her views, there has been a noticeable “evolution,” let us say, in their teaching and in their attitude towards non-Roman Christians over the last century. We might wish they had refined their teaching in this area or that area, but it’s not quite right to say they haven’t budged.
Indeed Ad Orientem, I was a bit contradictory. As I said Anglicans flap in the wind like laundry set loose from the line. Who knows where they will land. But perhaps more to the point is that ARCIC has never caused the Anglicans to change.
Re #7
Farstrider
As an Orthodox Christian I would agree that Rome has changed a great deal (even the Creed). That said in matters of doctrine there has been no change since she started talking to the Anglicans. But yea, your point is valid.