ECUMENISM
Protestants-Orthodox: a Conference on baptismProtestants and Orthodox theologians and bishops convened in Vienna on October 30-November 1 for a consultation on “Baptism in the life of our Churches”. The highlights of the meeting – co-organized by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and by the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) – were reported in the final statement issued November 7. Vienna’s consultation is the fourth stage of a theological journey begun in 2002 at the Academy of Crete and continued in Wittberg in 2004 and in Instambul in 2006. The conference opened with an overview of the major developments in baptism within the framework of bilateral and multi-lateral ecumenical dialogue. Metropolitan bishop Gennadios of Sassima (patriarchate of Constantinople) and Michael Beintker (for the CPCE) who co-chaired the meeting, presented baptism according to Orthodox and Protestant understanding. “Participants unanimously confirmed the importance of Baptism, that plays a major role in Church life” – is stated in the communiqué -. “Both parties agreed that baptism given with water in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit cannot be repeated. Both traditions share the same view on the nature of baptism. At the same time, there was agreement on the fact that baptism must be administered by ordained faithful”. As relates to consensus on the elements for the celebration of baptism, Orthodox and Protestants welcomed “a clearer approach”. These elements are “the creed, baptism requests, renouncing evil, life-commitment in conformity with baptism, the words of blessing”. Orthodox and Protestants jointly remarked that “the diversity of the liturgical expressions doesn’t separate the Churches, rather, it should be viewed as a source of richness”. A joint stand also regarded the importance that baptism be performed “before the congregation”. Both traditions presented “significant motivations for the mutual recognition of baptism” and claimed in the communiqué that “notwithstanding the existing differences, our Churches should make a series of steps leading to the mutual recognition of baptism, if it still hasn’t taken place”. It concludes: “bearing in mind existing difficulties, we are aware that the ecclesiologic questions that still need to be jointly debated, are crucial for the accomplishment of a mutual agreement on baptism”. Anglicans-Catholics: a translation in the “Urdu” language The 2007 agreement of the International Catholic-Anglican Commission for unity and mission called “Growing together in unity and mission” was translated into Urdu. The document was presented in the Resurrection Cathedral in Lahore, Pakistan. During the ceremony, the bishop of Lahore and moderator of the Anglican Church in Pakistan Revd Dr Alexander John Malik, and the representative of the Catholic Church Emmanuel Asi, presented a copy of the publication to the secretary of the archbishop of Canterbury for international and inter-religious relations Revd. Canon Anthony Ball. “Our hope – said the project coordinator, Anglican revered Rana Youab Khan – is that the translation into Urdu may give further thrust to dialogue and cooperation between the Church of Pakistan and the Catholic Church in Pakistan and between the Churches of both traditions all over the world”. Serbia: Patriarch Pavle still is “at the helm”The Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who gathered in Assembly in Belgrade, decided that Patriarch Pavle will continue to chair the Serbian Church despite the Patriarch himself had asked the bishops to be relieved of his post due to his critical health condition. Pavle, 94, has been leading the Serbian Orthodox Church since 1990. Past November he was admitted to the Military hospital of Belgrade for a pulmonary infection. Despite his health condition improved, the Patriarch remained in hospital. The Metropolitan bishop of Montenegro Amfilohije, who is the oldest member of the Synod of the Serbian-Orthodox Church, stands proxy for Patriarch Pavle. In October, the Patriarch had asked the bishops to give their consent to “his retirement from active service” and to pray for him. During the assembly the bishops declared that “despite the presented motivations” the Patriarch remains at the helm of Serbia’s Orthodox Church.
