Anglican Roman Catholic Dialogue Meets

WASHINGTON (April 18, 2005)-- The 58th meeting of the Anglican – Roman Catholic dialogue in the United States was held at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, March 3-6, 2005. Co-chaired by Episcopal Bishop Ted Gulick (Kentucky) and Auxiliary Bishop John Dunne (Rockville Centre), the mem

WASHINGTON (April 18, 2005)-- The 58th meeting of the Anglican – Roman Catholic dialogue in the United States was held at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, March 3-6, 2005. Co-chaired by Episcopal Bishop Ted Gulick (Kentucky) and Auxiliary Bishop John Dunne (Rockville Centre), the members of the dialogue examined the Lambeth Commission's Windsor Report, with its analysis of authority and freedom in the Anglican Communion. In addition and related to that text was The Primates' Communiqu� that focused on different aspects and consequences of the report. There were nineteen members of the dialogue present for the meeting.

Professor Ruth Meyers (Seabury-Western, IL) and Professor Joanne Pierce (Holy Cross, MA) presented the results of a few pilot sites where the parish resource text, The Gift of Unity: A Study Guide for Episcopalians and Roman Catholics had been used. The guide studies the liturgical prayers of baptism and Eucharist in each of the churches. As a result of the responses from the selected sites, a number of helpful suggestions were made, and the project was further strengthened by changes and additions.

Professors Ellen Wondra and Ruth Meyers (both of Seabury-Western, IL) provided a few responses to the Windsor Report by a number of institutions including the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops and Executive Council and the African Anglican Bishops' Conference.

A report and plan for the completion of a long-standing study on "Regional Authority" was made, with the expectations that it would be ready in 2007.

The body spent time in considering how its members would respond to The Windsor Report, with its ecumenical and Anglican implications. It was agreed that four scholars (two from each communion) would prepare substantive papers for presentation at October, 2005 meeting, and that they would seek to relate the report to a number of previous statements made between Anglican and Roman Catholics on issues related to communion and authority.

During the meeting, participants used the Seminary chapel for prayer and daily Eucharist, alternating Roman Catholic and Anglican celebrations, and respecting the Eucharistic discipline of each church. Together, in the morning and evening, the members shared prayer from The Book of Common Prayer and The Liturgy of the Hours.