Anglicans, Catholics reach agreement on Mary's role in Christian life

Published: 2005-05-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While some Roman Catholics may need to exercise more care in their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring her and seeking her help are not practices that should separate Catholics and Anglicans, says a new joint statement. The Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission released its statement of agreement, "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ," May 16. The document said, "We believe there is no continuing theological reason for ecclesial division on these matters." Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, often seen as a distinctively Roman Catholic or Orthodox practice, has roots in Scripture and the early Christian tradition, which make it part of Anglicans' heritage as well, the document said. In their liturgical calendars, both Anglicans and Roman Catholics mark major events in the life of Mary, and in their formal prayers both refer to her as "ever virgin" and as "Mother of God Incarnate," the document said.

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