Text 1897, 59 rader
Skriven 2006-11-23 22:36:24 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
===================================================
Hello All!
                This Area is READ ONLY.  Do not post to this area.
                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

CONTINUE THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE DESPITE DIFFICULTIES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 23, 2006 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received
the primate of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury,
England. The archbishop's visit to Rome is taking place 40 years after the
meeting between Pope Paul VI and the then archbishop of Canterbury, Michael
Ramsey.

In his address, the Holy Father, speaking English, recalled both that
anniversary and the long history of relations between the See of Rome and the
See of Canterbury, which began more than 1400 years ago. He also thanked
Archbishop Williams and other representatives of the Anglican Communion for
their presence at the funeral of John Paul II and at the inauguration of his
own pontificate.

"There is much in our relations over the past forty years for which we must
give thanks," said the Holy Father. "The work of the theological dialogue
commission; ... the friendship and good relations which exist in many places
between Anglicans and Catholics [that] have helped to create a new context in
which our shared witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been nourished and
advanced; the visits of archbishops of Canterbury to the Holy See;" and the
"constructive meeting of Anglican and Catholic bishops in Mississauga, Canada,
in May 2000, when it was agreed to form a joint commission of bishops to
discern appropriate ways to express in ecclesial life the progress which has
already been made."

"In the present context, however," he went on, "and especially in the
secularized Western world, there are many negative influences and pressures
which affect Christians and Christian communities. ... Recent developments,
especially concerning the ordained ministry and certain moral teachings, have
affected not only internal relations within the Anglican Communion but also
relations between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church.

"We believe," he added, "that these matters, which are presently under
discussion within the Anglican Communion, are of vital importance to the
preaching of the Gospel in its integrity, and that your current discussions
will shape the future of our relations. It is to be hoped that the work of the
theological dialogue, which had registered no small degree of agreement on
these and other important theological matters, will continue to be taken
seriously."

"The world needs our witness and the strength which comes from an undivided
proclamation of the Gospel," the Holy Father concluded. "Precisely for this
reason, and even amidst present difficulties, it is important that we continue
our theological dialogue. I hope that your visit will assist in finding
constructive ways forward in the current circumstances."
AC/ANGLICAN COMMUNION/WILLIAMS VIS 061123 (440)

SUMMARY

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)