wfn.org | [ACNS] ARCIC launches statement on the Blessed Virgin Mary

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3974     |     ACO     |	  29 APRIL 2005

ARCIC launches statement on the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ecumenical delegations from the Vatican and the Anglican Communion
Office will launch 'Seattle Statement' 16 May

(ACNS London) An international delegation of Anglicans and Roman
Catholics will convene in Seattle, USA, 16 May to release a joint
statement of understanding on the place of Mary in the doctrine and life
of the Church. The document, entitled Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ,
represents the first major agreed statement by a formal international
dialogue between two Christian world communions on this important aspect
of Christian faith and devotion.

The statement draws together the fruits of five years of work by the
Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), a dialogue
officially sponsored by the Anglican Consultative Council and by the
Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

As the work of ARCIC, the text is not an authoritative declaration by
the Roman Catholic Church or the Anglican Communion. With its
publication, the statement will be offered for study and evaluation by
the churches. The book has been attractively published by
Continuum/Morehouse Publishing USA/UK.

The document is referred to as the 'Seattle Statement' because members
of ARCIC completed it in Seattle during their February 2004 meeting. The
theologians who constitute the commission include bishops, clergy,
religious and laypersons from 10 different countries.

The May 16 event will be hosted by Seattle Archbishop Alexander J
Brunett, Roman Catholic co-chair of ARCIC. Archbishop Brunett will be
joined by his Anglican co-chair, Archbishop Peter Carnley, Primate of
the Anglican Church of Australia, for the statement release. The Revd
Don Bolen (Vatican) and the Revd Canon Gregory Cameron (Anglican
Communion), co-secretaries of ARCIC will also be present.

A news conference is scheduled for 10am, 16 May, in Seattle at 910
Marion St to announce the publication of the agreed statement.

LONDON LAUNCH

On 19 May at 12 Noon, the book will be launched at a gathering in
Westminster Abbey (Jerusalem Chamber) in London, England. Press and
media are welcome to register to attend. Contact Canon James Rosenthal
+44 (0) 780 389 4751. The launch is being hosted by the Revd Canon
Nicholas Sagovsky, a member of ARCIC and Canon Theological of
Westminster. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Nottingham, England, the Most
Revd Malcolm MacMahon, a member of ARCIC and other church leaders.

ENDS

The statement is published in book form, published by
Continuum/Morehouse

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