By Mary Beth Marino

The implementation of the Covenant signed between the Catholic and Episcopal dioceses of Atlanta forged ahead at a meeting at St. Philip's Episcopal Cathedral Feb. 28.

Catholic and Episcopalian clergy, various church representatives, Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan and Episcopal Bishop C. Judson Child, Jr., were in attendance marking the first of many joint meetings.

Father Alan Dillmann, priest secretary of the Religious Unity Commission and pastor of the Church of the Holy Spirit, opened the meeting by briefly discussing how the “two communions” were formulated.

This was followed by Reverend Don Taylor, ecumenical liaison for the Episcopal Diocese, explaining the schedule for the day including a question and answer period that would give everyone the opportunity to have their many questions answered.

Father Henry Gracz gave a brief report on the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. After his report, Father Gracz discussed how churches, races and beliefs were broken and separate in the past, but that “all” are coming into a unity which is, he suggested, “the way God intended it to be.” He then remarked that Archbishop Donnellan and Bishop Child have become great friends and have a remarkable working relationship. “Everyone should be encouraged by the example they set,” he said.

Archbishop Donnellan said, “public reaction to the signing of the Covenant was great, encouraging and a good thing.” He said that while his and Bishop Child’s pictures and names were used, the Covenant was not due to their efforts. He said the Joint Unity Commission, and the priests and people working together for an ideal to which Christ called all people were the real impetus for action.

Bishop Child commented on the interdenominational response the signing of the Covenant prompted. He has been receiving letters not only from the archdiocesan level, but from other denominations inquiring as to “how” the agreement was reached and what compromises were met in order to reach the final agreement. “People are watching, people are caring, and people are aware of what’s happening,” Bishop Child remarked.

“It is not just a matter that involves our immediate community. It’s something which the church in general is looking with great reservation, hope and praise,” he said.

Questions followed pertaining to actual rites and laws within each church – one being “Can Episcopalians now receive communion in a Catholic Church?” Archbishop Donnellan answered that Catholic doctrine does not permit non-Catholics to receive communion, and the signing of the Covenant did not change that ruling.

Rather, the Covenant pairs both diocese in joint dialogues explaining each church’s theological perspective; in joint retreats; in prayer for sister parishes; in joining summer youth Bible school, and in emergency aid programs. Specifically the Covenant invites the dioceses to “show mutual respect for each other’s stated positions and where possible, issue joining declarations.”