ECUMENISM
Anglicans: Primates convene in Egypt Despite difficulties and divisions regarding same-gender unions and the ordination of gay bishops marking the Anglican world, “It is our strong desire to see our Christian World Communion flourish and remain united,” declared 34 world Anglican primates in the final communiqué of the meeting held on February 1-5 in Alexandria of Egypt under the chairmanship of archbishop Rowan Williams. Anglican primates convened for the first time after last year’s “Lambeth Conference”, where the differing views conveyed by North American and European Churches had triggered disagreement in the areas of homosexuality. “We are conscious that the attitudes and deliberations of the primates have sometimes inadvertently given rise to disappointment and even disillusion”, the primates affirmed in the Letter, acknowledging the “difficult nature” of “these tensions”. However, the communiqué equally underlines that the Anglican Communion was able “to discuss and debate these issues in a spirit of open and respectful dialogue.” “Our honest engagement revealed the complexity of the situation. Matters are not as clear-cut as some portray. The soul of our Communion has been stretched and threatened by the continuation of our damaged and fractured relationships”. “There are continuing deep differences especially over the issues of the election of bishops in same-gender unions, Rites of Blessing for same-sex unions, and on cross-border interventions. The moratoria, requested by the Windsor Report and reaffirmed by the majority of bishops at the Lambeth Conference, were much discussed. If a way forward is to be found and mutual trust to be re-established, it is imperative that further aggravation and acts which cause offence, misunderstanding or hostility cease”, the primates declared. The Anglican Communion is currently examining the possibility of “parallel jurisdictions”, i.e., “a coalition of seven different organizations”. But accordingly, “there is no consensus” among the primates to this regard.Turkey: concern over the monastery of Mor Gabriel Germany’s Bishops’ Conference (Dbk) voiced its concern in a communiqué issued February 4 over the ancient monastery of Mor Gabriel in Turkey founded in 397. The property is object of litigation and the monastery’s abbot, Syro-Orthodox bishop Aktas, is charged with having illegally annexed to the monastery’s property forest land that in Turkey is considered state-owned. In reality, the area in question belonged to the monastery for many centuries and is currently used as fallow land. “Germany’s Bishops’ Conference is seriously concerned over the attacks and hostility against Syro-Orthodox Christians in their historical settlements in the South-Eastern part of Turkey”, states the communiqué. DBK Secretary Hans Langendörfer, underlined “the importance” that the monastery holds “not only to Syro-Orthodox Christians in Turkey but also to Christians in Turkey who fled to Germany and other European Countries”. Langendörfer thanked the “governments of EU Member States that carefully follow the complex legal proceedings hoping they will also help prevent that the local authorities’ arbitrary intervention won’t detriment the few Christian faithful still living in the region”. “We appeal to Turkey’s government – Langendörfer concluded – to take into serious consideration the monastery’s request for State intervention, and to engage in renewed effort aimed at ensuring that freedom of religion in Turkey is enjoyed by Christian faithful while preventing their religious foundations from being further affected. The protection of religious plurality along with the preservation of the Country’s rich cultural tradition is in the interest of Turkey”. Anglicans/Holy See: tribute to Msgr. BolenThe Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has awarded the “Cross of St. Augustine” to Monsignor Donald Bolen for his service to Anglican – Roman Catholic relations. Archbishop Williams thus paid “warm tribute to the theological acumen and spiritual discernment that Monsignor Bolen had put unreservedly at the service of Anglican – Roman Catholic relations during his seven-year assignment to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome”, is stated in a communiqué issued in London. The Cross of Saint Augustine was founded by Msgr. Michael Ramsey, it was first awarded by him on 19 February. The Cross has historically been awarded to clergy and lay people who have contributed conspicuously to advancing friendly relations with the Anglican Communion.
