Catholic-Anglican text encourages realism about divisive issues

Published: 2007-10-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Anglicans and Roman Catholics should witness to the faith they share and work together to promote Christian values in the world, but they also must be realistic about issues still dividing them, said a recent document by Anglican and Catholic bishops. "Growing Together in Unity and Mission" was published in mid-September by the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, made up of bishops from the two communities. While leaked copies of the completed document were circulating already in February, the official release was delayed until a commentary commissioned by the Vatican and one commissioned by the Anglican Communion were finalized. The international bishop's commission was formed in 2001 to develop a document summarizing 35 years of official Anglican-Roman Catholic theological agreements, to encourage wider study of the agreements and to demonstrate how much Catholics and Anglicans share by promoting joint activities such as prayer services, study, Christian witness and social action. However, the final document said, "difficulties in the life of the Anglican communion," particularly the tensions caused by the ordination of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire, the blessing of same-sex unions in British Columbia and the acceptance of women bishops in some Anglican provinces have forced Anglicans and Roman Catholics to recognize that progress toward full unity will be slower than many of them had hoped.

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