Bishops' Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Chairman Issues 'Reflection' on Recent Episcopal Church Decisions

 WASHINGTON -- Bishop Stephen Blaire, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, said the recent decisions made at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States "have serious implications in the search for Christian unity and for the work of our bilateral Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue in the United States."

"The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, both nationally and internationally, have held serious and fruitful dialogues for the fostering of Christian unity for almost forty years," Bishop Blaire said.

"In these times of new ecumenical challenges, we remain committed to prayerful and honest dialogue, however difficult, in responding to Christ's prayer for the unity of the Church. We continue to pray for the bishops, clergy and laity of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and for all our brothers and sisters baptized into the body of Christ."

Bishop Blaire's statement, entitled "A Reflection from an Ecumenical Perspective on the Recent Decisions of the Episcopal Church in the United States," was made public August 11.

Following is the full text of the Reflection.

A Reflection from an Ecumenical Perspective on the Recent Decisions of the
Episcopal Church in the United States

Most Reverend Stephen Blaire, Chairman
Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs

The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, both nationally and internationally, have held serious and fruitful dialogues for the fostering of Christian unity for almost forty years.

In the light of the recent decisions made at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States concerning the appointment of abishop who professes himself to be in an active homosexual relationship, and the recognition that some local Episcopal communities bless same-sex unions, new ecumenical challenges have been created.

These decisions reflect a departure from the common understanding of themeaning and purpose of human sexuality, and the morality of homosexual activity as found in Sacred Scripture and the Christian tradition. As such they have serious implications in the search for Christian unity and for the work of our bilateral Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue in the United States.

In these times of new ecumenical challenges, we remain committed to prayerful and honest dialogue, however difficult, in responding to Christ's prayer for the unity of the Church. We continue to pray for thebishops, clergy and laity of the Episcopal Church in the United States,and for all our brothers and sisters baptized into the body of Christ.