“Our long walk together forces us to publicly acknowledge the challenges thrown at us by the new developments that, as well as causing divisions amongst the Anglicans, put serious obstacles in the way of our ecumenical progress”. This was written in the Joint Statement signed in the Vatican this morning by Benedict XVI and the Primate of the Anglican Church, Rowan Williams, during their meeting. In recalling the epoch-making visit, 40 years ago, of the then archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey, to Paul VI, the document highlights "the good that came out of these four-decade-long dialogue”, but states the urgency, "in renewing our commitment to continuing our journey towards a full and visible communion in Christ’s love and truth”, of committing themselves also "to an endless dialogue to face the important" ecclesiological and ethical issues "that make such journey harder and more hazardous”.
