Anglicans: the Rev. Peterson received in audience by the Pope ” “

In spite of the difficulties that have emerged with the ordination of women as priests and bishops and more recently that of homosexuals, the Anglican Communion is serious in its intention to pursue the ecumenical process and is keen to hear the point of view of the Catholic Church on these matters. The point was stressed by the Rev. John L. Peterson, general secretary of the Anglican Communion, on meeting John Paul II in Rome. The audience took place on 18 November but Peterson’s address with indications for the future work of ecumenism was only released in recent days. “The ecumenical process – Peterson told the Pope – is far from easy”. Peterson recognises that the developments that have taken place within Anglicanism “may seem steps backward rather than progress in our cooperation. I think, however, that recent initiatives demonstrate how seriously we wish to work in a cooperative way and listen to the point of view of the Catholic Church to discern Christ’s will at this time”. For this reason – Peterson pointed out – a sub-committee of IARCCUM (bilateral Commission of dialogue) has been established with the task of studying the ecclesiological difficulties that have arisen following recent developments in dialogue.