Anglican primate, pope discuss ecumenism, U.S. visit, Muslim dialogue

Published: 2008-05-07

ROME (CNS) -- Two months before opening the Anglican Communion's Lambeth Conference, the Anglican primate was in Rome to commission his new representative to the Vatican, to meet privately with Pope Benedict XVI and to convene a Christian-Muslim dialogue. Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Communion, said his May 5 meeting with Pope Benedict "was a friendly and informal meeting in which we discussed a number of ecumenical issues, some of the pope's impressions from his American visit and common issues in Christian-Muslim dialogue." As the ordination of openly gay clerics, the blessing of gay unions and the ordination of women bishops in some Anglican provinces threatens to split the Anglican Communion, the July 16-Aug. 3 Lambeth Conference will bring Anglican bishops together to discuss structures and procedures for ensuring unity.

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