wfn.org | [ENS] 'Mary document' is focus for continuing reflection (Daybook)

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Daybook, from Episcopal News Service December 16, 2005 -- Friday Forum 

'Mary document' is focus for continuing reflection

Dialogue engages U.S. Anglicans, Roman Catholics   [ENS] As Christmas
approaches and Christ's Nativity story is retold, U.S.  Anglicans and
Roman Catholics continue their reflection on "Mary: Grace and Hope in
Christ," a document published out of a five-year study process engaging
the two faith communities.

The document reflects the work of the Anglican - Roman Catholic
International Commission, which in 1999 began a new study of the role
of the Virgin Mary in the life and doctrine of the Church.

First released as the "Seattle statement" in 2004, the document was
officially published in May 2005. [Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ.
(Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission; Morehouse Publishing,
2005; 81 pages; ISBN: 0819281328; $14.95.]

The Mary document was a topic of broad and analytical discussion at
the 59th meeting of the Anglican - Roman Catholic Dialogue in the
United States, held October 13-16 at St. Paul's College in Washington,
D.C. The meeting was co-chaired by Episcopal Bishop Ted Gulick (Kentucky)
and Auxiliary Bishop John Dunne (Rockville Centre).

Participants noted the document's study of scripture, tradition and
developments after the division of the churches, along with its forging
of an ecumenical methodology.

Ruth Meyers and Joanne Pierce presented a report on the final editing
of the parish resource text, "The Gift of Unity: A Study Guide for
Episcopalians and Roman Catholics"; they also informed the body about the
consultation with publishers. The guide studies the liturgical prayers
of baptism and Eucharist in each of the churches.

A report was made by Ellen Wondra on the process of the selection of
bishops for each of the two communions. Additional work will continue on
the study on Regional Authority. "This part of our ongoing work takes
on special relevance as the Episcopal Church frames its corporate
response to the Windsor process," said Bishop Christopher Epting,
deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Episcopal Church.
  Following assignments that had been given at the previous meeting,
three papers and three responses were presented on topics that had been
assigned to a number of members.

Episcopal priest Thomas Briedenthal spoke from the Anglican side on the
theme "Communion as Disagreement"; Robert Imbelli presented a response.
Francis Sullivan SJ gave a paper on "The Participation of the Laity in
Decision-making in the Post- Vatican II Catholic Church"; Marsha Dutton
responded to him. Robert Pritchard presented on the topic "The Question
of Reception"; and Robert Trisco responded to him.

During the meeting, participants used the College chapel for prayer and
daily Eucharist, alternating Roman Catholic and Anglican celebrations,
and respecting the Eucharistic discipline of each church. Together,
in the morning and evening, the members shared prayer from The Book of
Common Prayer and The Liturgy of the Hours.

Prayers were offered for Archbishop William Levada who had been
the co-chair bishop for the dialogue and has been appointed the
president for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope
Benedict XVI. Since the meeting, the new Roman Catholic co-chair has
been announced. He is Bishop Edward W. Clark, Auxiliary Bishop of the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles.    Meeting participants included Episcopal
Bishop Christopher Epting, the Presiding Bishop's deputy for ecumenical
and interreligious affairs.

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