Third phase of Catholic/Anglican dialogue to include cooperative investigation of 'divisive' issues

Vatican City, Nov 27, 2009 / (CNA).-

An interview on Vatican Radio Wednesday morning revealed that the third phase of official dialogue between the the Catholic Church and the Anglican communion, to take place within the next year, will include what Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams deemed last week to be 'divisive' issues.

Discussions will focus on the relationship between the universal church and the local church.

Interviewed for the radio report was Monsignor Mark Langham, responsible for advancing Catholic/Anglican dialogue at the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.

Msgr. Langham said that the “starting point” of the talks between the two churches would be "the broader question of the relationship between the universal church and the local church." He explained that cooperative investigations into issues that have arisen in the Anglican church in recent years, particularly the ordinations of women and practicing homosexuals as well as same-sex marriage within the church's discipline, could be fruitful.

In a conference last week in Rome, Archbishop Williams noted that these “divisive” issues should be avoided. However, following talks between representatives from the two churches in recent days it appears that it will be precisely those issues that will be discussed in the third, and likely final, phase of ecumenical dialogue.

Langham added that dialogue, intended to further cooperation "on all sorts of levels," is essential to the relationship, but that they would like to make headway beyond the meeting table.

ARCIC, the Anglican—Roman Catholic International Commission, is looking to promote a "wide range of possibilities for encounters," from the parish level all the way up to leadership within both communities.

Despite criticism as to the validity of these dialogues, leaders from both churches are hoping for positive outcomes.

The churches will complete their 40th year since the inauguration of the first phase of these ecumenical dialogues in 2010.

Laity must bear witness to Christ, says Cardinal Bertone

Assisi, Italy, Nov 26, 2009 / (CNA).-

During a Mass this week in Assisi celebrating the 10th anniversary of the reopening of the Basilica of St. Francis, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, reminded the Catholic laity that they must bear “concrete witness that Christ the King, the liberator and savior of every man and all mankind.”

During the Mass celebrated on Sunday, Cardinal Bertone said the laity, in light of their baptism, are called to bear witness to Christ and help the poor and marginalized feel closeness to Him.

The cardinal added that the royalty of Christ, “passed on to you through the Cross, continues to be made manifest to the world today through the community of the redeemed,” that is, through Christians.

For this reason, the laity have the task of “working for the promotion of the human person, animating the temporal realities with the gospel spirit and thus bearing concrete witness that Christ the King is the liberator and savior of every man and all mankind.”

“To serve and to reign, says an ancient formula used for catechetical teaching. Christ the King has reigned on the wood of the cross, after giving an example to the disciples with the washing of the feet. St. Francis reigned loving 'sister poverty,' dressing only in a habit and animated by a sincere love for his Lord and for the poor,” the cardinal said.

“We, dear brothers and sisters, should follow our path of faith to share, on the day of our death, the same crown of glory,” he added.