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Question of authority main impediment to unity, says Episcopal priest
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GARRISON, N.Y. (CNS) -- Ultimate authority is the major impediment to Christian unity, greater than the real and profound differences between churches regarding priestly celibacy and the ordination of women, according to the longtime ecumenical officer for the Episcopal Diocese of New York. "Obviously, our Lord is the final authority, but the question of how we perceive God's will for us is not an easy thing," said the Rev. Paul B. Clayton Jr., speaking Jan. 22 at Graymoor during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. He said the Catholic Church has spent one and a half millennia developing the doctrine that gives universal and immediate jurisdiction to the bishop of Rome, while Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and Protestant churches make decisions through the action of councils and reject papal claims. "I believe the basic ecumenical question now is how we take up (Blessed) John Paul II's challenge to find a common vision of primacy in the church," he said. Rev. Clayton was the guest preacher at Sunday Mass and spoke to Catholic News Service afterward. He was one of seven ordained men and women invited to address groups at Graymoor during the worldwide observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan.18-25. Graymoor is the headquarters of the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement. The week is organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. Since 1968, the two groups have met to choose a theme and prepare texts and resources for the observance. The theme for this year was, "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ."
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