Anglican - Roman Catholic Relations: A statement from the Informal Talks

London: November 26, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Following the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the Vatican on 21 November 2009, at which they reaffirmed their desire to strengthen ecumenical relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, a preparatory committee met on 23 November 2009 to prepare the third phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). It has been decided that this phase will begin within the coming year.

This third phase will deal with fundamental questions regarding the Church as Communion – Local and Universal, and how in communion the local and universal Church comes to discern right ethical teaching.

Over the coming months members will be nominated to the Commission, and a date for its first meeting will be announced.

Notes:

The Infomal Talks are an annual meeting between the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and representatives of the Anglican Communion under the joint chairmanship of Cardinal Kasper, chair of the Pontifical Council, and Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. The meeting took place at the Anglican Centre in Rome.