Pope meets Anglican archbishop, expresses concern about relations

Published: 2003-10-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his first meeting with the new head of the Anglican Communion, Pope John Paul II expressed concern that ecumenical relations face new tensions as Anglicans consider the implications of the ordination of an openly gay bishop in the United States. Pope John Paul welcomed Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury to the Vatican Oct. 4 and gave him one of the first pectoral crosses forged to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his pontificate. The archbishop gave the pope a Canterbury cross, and he and his entire delegation kissed the pope's hand at the end of the audience. Pope John Paul also kissed Archbishop Williams' ring, a ring Pope Paul VI had given the archbishop's predecessor, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, in 1966. But the warm personal relations were mixed with serious concern for the continued unity of the Anglican Communion's 38 provinces and their decisions regarding the morality of homosexual activity.

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