Historic Seminaries to Sign Mutual Covenant on 4 October, 2012, in Oxford, England

(Via email–KSH).

Responding to a need to preserve and promote theological training in the Catholic Tradition as Anglicanism has received it and giving tangible expression to St. Paul’s exhortation to be “united in mind and thought” (I Corinthians 1:10), Nashotah House Theological Seminary and St. Stephen’s House, Oxford will sign “Strengthening the Bonds of Affection: A Mutual Covenant for Ministry” in Oxford on the evening of 4 October 2012.
The Covenant, the first of its kind, pledges the efforts of both seminaries to the work of mutual ministry and prayer, including: calling for the adoption of a joint mission statement, a sharing of prayers, programs and seminarians and the creation of a mutual sabbatical structure. The signing and witnessing of “Strengthening the Bonds of Affection: A Mutual Covenant for Ministry” will take place at St. Stephen’s House in Oxford at six o’clock in the evening and will include a Solemn High Mass and reception afterwards.

“Both St. Stephen’s House and Nashotah House share a common and rich ancestry, emerging from the Catholic Revival of the nineteenth century,” said the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon, Jr., Nashotah House Dean and President, “and by working together we can be a monumental blessing to our Church and to our world.” The Rev. Canon Robin Ward, Principal of St. Stephen’s House, considers the opportunity invaluable and historic, saying, “St. Stephen’s House and Nashotah House are the preeminent Anglo-Catholic seminaries serving the Anglican Communion today, and affirming our common heritage while seeking new ways to expand our vision together will plant seeds that, by God’s grace, will produce fruit – fifty, sixty and even a hundred fold.”