Ecumenism" "
The joint Anglican-Catholic document on “ Mary, Grace and Hope in Christ” was showcased in London on 19 May, for the first time in Europe (after its presentation at the world level in Seattle). It was presented by members of the work group that had drafted it: the Catholic bishop of Nottingham Malcom MacMahon, Canon Nicholas Sagovsky, theologian of Westminster, Professor Henry Chadwick, and other churchmen and experts. The text on Mary which follows other joint declarations prepared in the past by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), on themes of ministry, the Eucharist and, more recently, the authority of the church touches on questions that in the past have aroused suspicion on the Anglican side and characterized the division between the two churches such as the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and Mary’s Assumption into heaven or Marian devotion and re-interprets them in the light of Holy Scripture and the Fathers of the Church. Canon Gregory Cameron, assistant general secretary and director for ecumenical affairs and studies of the Anglican Communion explains that the document “tries to describe the faith we have in common” and to evaluate whether the dogmas may be considered “in harmony with scriptures”. And the answer is yes. But, as the joint communiqué explains, it is not a question of the Anglican acceptance of Catholic dogmas and practices, but rather of recognizing that God’s plan of salvation present in scriptures “is clearly visible in the life of Mary”. Consequently, continues Cameron, although “we cannot say that the dogmas are present in scriptures, they are in agreement with scriptures”. And he adds: “the consensus was not immediate, but was reached through painstaking and open discussion”. This document, commented Bishop McMahon, is an “important goal in deepening mutual understanding between our churches” and means that “our different understanding of Mary ought not to be an obstacle to ecclesial communion”. A text considered a fundamental point of reference for understanding the role of Mary is chapter 8 of Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
