United Kingdom: called to unity” “” “

The role played by England and Wales in ecumenical dialogue is a significant one. Here all the denominations of the Christian churches are present: not only the state church, the Church of England, but also the Methodists, the Baptists and the free churches. Meanwhile the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, spiritual leader of the Church of England, has notified the Queen (who remains its head) of his intention to leave his post at the end of next October. The news of his imminent resignation, of which rumours began to circulate several weeks ago (cf. Sir Europa no. 10 of 6 December 2001), was made public on 8 January. Carey is 66 years old and will retire three years ahead of the end of his term of office. In view of the Prayer Week for Christian Unity (18-25 January), we have discussed the consequences of Carey’s decision and ecumenical dialogue in Great Britain with two authoritative exponents of the Catholic and Anglican Churches: Michael Evans , Catholic theologian of Tunbridge Wells, and committed supporter of ecumenical dialogue, and Barry Rogerson , Anglican bishop of Bristol and member of the House of Lords. Rogerson chaired the meetings that led to a progressive rapprochement between Anglicans and Methodists. A report on the relations between the Catholic Church and the Methodist churches was published last July. What were its findings? “It’s the first report published since 1967 – explains Michael Evans – and deals with the issue of authority within the church and the role of the bishops. For Methodists, authority is represented within their church by the body known as the conference. The report points out the progress made in relations between the two churches and its tangible consequences: we are beginning to think and speak to each other in a different way than in the past, with greater harmony”. Can you give us an example of this? “One example is that of the Sacraments, beginning with that of Holy Orders. In the Methodist view, priesthood is not necessarily to be considered a sacrament. It’s a view very different from that of Catholics. Nonetheless the conception of the priesthood that was affirmed with Vatican Council II has helped us a great deal in our dialogue with Methodists. Another controversial theme, as I said before, is that of authority: the Methodists have difficulty in accepting the infallibility of the Pope and of the magisterium (the Church’s teaching). But they firmly believe that God works through the Church. On the basis of this conviction it is easier for them to understand what Catholics mean by infallibility”. How is dialogue proceeding with the Anglican Church? “The Church of England is split internally and so it’s not easy to find an interlocutor with whom to dialogue. I would go so far as to say that it is the most divided of all the Protestant churches. The ordination of women priests, which began in 1994, has become a significant obstacle to dialogue, because the Church of England has become further split on this issue and dialogue has become more complicated as a result”. For ecumenism is it more useful to dialogue on doctrine, to pray together or to become involved in common activities? “All three levels are important and represent so to say the Holy Trinity of ecumenism. Some progress has been made in the last thirty or forty years in the work conducted by the ‘ARCIC’ commission for dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans. Of great importance was also the document published two years ago, ‘The Gift of Authority’, which presented infallibility as a possible gift of the Church. Often language – e.g. speaking of the ‘ministry of discernment that God will maintain free of errors’, instead of ‘infallibility’ – helps a great deal to bring Christians of different faiths closer together. What are the Church of England’s relations with the other Protestant churches in Great Britain? “The Church of England – observes the Anglican bishop Barry Rogerson – has achieved full communion with the Lutheran churches of the nordic area, with the Porvoo accord which was for us the most important step forward in ecumenical dialogue in recent years. Another significant agreement was that signed in Meissen, with the Lutheran and Reformed churches of Germany, the first phase towards full communion. Lastly, with the Revilly agreement we have decided to have exchanges of ‘pulpits’ with the French Protestant churches. But undoubtedly the most significant innovation is the accord signed with the Methodists last December, in virtue of which the two churches could become one only, in future”. What about dialogue with the Catholic Church? “The documents ‘The Gift of Authority’ and ‘One Bread, one Body’, that opened the way to dialogue, have been important. The main bone of contention remains that of the Pope’s authority. Personally I believe that it depends a great deal on the way in which the Pope decides to exercise his own authority. In proportion as we accept that authority in the Church may be exercised in a collegial manner, this will bring Anglicans and Catholics closer together. I am convinced in any case that God is continuously calling us to unity”. Do you believe that the choice of the new archbishop of Canterbury will have consequences for ecumenical relations? “Without doubt it will have consequences. But the relations between the two Churches are good and I believe that dialogue will continue whoever is chosen for the see of Canterbury”.