wfn.org | Archbishop of Canterbury addresses Methodists

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2000-090

Carey describes an 'ecology of unity' in address to 
Methodists

by Linda Bloom

     (UMNS) While the vision of one, great church may be 
unachievable, a different type of unity is possible among 
the world's Christians, according to the Archbishop of 
Canterbury.

     "I abandoned a long time ago a theology of unity that 
assumes it means uniformity and sameness," Archbishop 
George Carey told the United Methodist General Conference 
in Cleveland, Ohio, during a May 10 ecumenical worship 
service. "Human nature cannot accept that."

     His sermon was a first for the denomination's top 
legislative body, which had never before been addressed by 
an archbishop of Canterbury. In his introduction, Bishop 
William Oden spoke of Carey's love for Methodism and the 
Wesleyan  tradition and noted that his visit came at a time 
when an international dialogue between the Anglican and 
Methodist communions had concluded and a dialogue between 
the United Methodists and Episcopal Church USA was to 
begin.

     Pointing out that New Testament scholars now consider 
diversity to be key to studying the origins of the faith, 
Carey talked about what he termed an "ecology of unity," as 
the word ecology refers to a variety of organisms living 
together and contributing to one another's welfare.

Diversity in all traditions

     All great religious traditions accept expressions of 
diversity. In the Anglican tradition, for example, 
theological and liturgical tastes may range from conducting 
the Eucharist in the catholic tradition to allowing a 
fluidity of expression in a charismatic "low church" 
setting. "In other words, high and hazy or low and lazy," 
he quipped.

     But, Carey added to applause, he doesn't like it when 
"one part of the family believes that they hold the truth 
and nobody else does."

     Ecological unity, the archbishop said, "may encourage 
us to move in stages toward whatever final form of unity 
God may have in store for us." The first stage--which has 
been achieved in some theological conversations, such as 
the recent Lutheran/Anglican talks--is to recognize that 
the churches stand in continuity with apostolic faith. "The 
next step beyond that is, of course, to recognize one 
another's ministries as authentic and apostolic 
ministries," he added.

     Such a staged approach is part of the formal Anglican-
Methodist talks recently started in Great Britain. The 
archbishop noted that 30 years ago the two churches "were 
within a whisker of establishing full, visible unity" but 
lacked an affirming vote from the Anglicans.

     "It is my strong hope that over the next few years a 
solid foundation for unity between our churches will 
develop into a visible unity achieved by measurable 
stages," Carey said. He also encouraged the United 
Methodist-Episcopal dialogue.

Concept of mission

     Ecological unity also refers to the concept of mission 
because it concerns the well-being of the whole. "I have 
observed on many visits to the overseas church that the 
best demonstrations of unity have been in prophetic 
situation of witness when churches have stood together for 
people and for the gospel," he added, naming South Africa, 
the Sudan and Northern Ireland as examples. But he observed 
that old divisions seem to return when a common enemy is 
overcome.

     "I believe we must transcend our concern for the 
survival of the church and start to focus our concern upon 
the Kingdom of God and its centrality to church and 
society," the archbishop said, calling for Christians to do 
evangelism, ministry, social concern and theological 
exploration together.

     After the worship service, ecumenical visitors 
representing the African Methodist Episcopal, Evangelical 
Lutheran, Presbyterian, Nazarene, Christian Methodist 
Episcopal, Orthodox, Wesleyan, Greek Orthodox, United 
Church of Christ and Episcopal churches were introduced. 
Representatives of the National Council of Churches, 
National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Consultation on 
Church Union, International Council of Community of 
Churches and World Council of Churches also were welcomed.

--Linda Bloom is a member of the United Methodist News 
Service staff.