PERTH, WA: October 5, 1989
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CITY women to the ministerial VATICAN (CNS):— While it is not priesthood in some proclear how differences vinces of the Anglican dividing Roman Cathol- Communion prevents ics and Anglicans can reconciliation between be resolved, the two us even where there is progress churches will continue otherwise working toward full toward agreement in communion, said a faith on the meaning of declaration signed on the Eucharist and the October 2nd by Pope ordained ministry," the John Paul ll and the declaration said. spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican "While we ourselves dc not see a solution to this Communion.
"No pilgrim knows in advance all the steps along the path," said the declaration signed by the pope and Anglican Archbishop Robert Runcie of Canterbury, England, during a meeting in the pope's private library. The declaration urged ecumenists "and all others engaged in prayer and work for visible unity" not to minimise the differences between the two denominations. "The question and practice of the admission of
obstacle," the pope and archbishop wrote, conversations and theological examinations of the issues involved "will in fact help to deepen and enlarge OUT understanding."
The declaration renewed support for the work of the Second A nglican -Roman Catholic International Commission and welcomed the Anglican Communion's acceptance of the 1982 final
report by the commission's predecessor. -This report is currently also being studied by the Catholic Church with a view to responding to it," the declaration said. The pope and Archbishop Runcie asked "our clergy and faithful not to neglect or undervalue that certain yet imperfect communion we already share." Anglicans and Roman Catholics share faith in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit and a common baptism in the name of Christ, the declaration said. They read the same Scriptures and recite the same creeds. communion "This should be cherished and guarded as we seek to grow into the fuller Christ communion wills," the declaration said.
PRICE 600
Mrs Dulcie Hollow of Belmont was all heart for a precious moment last Saturday after her fifth son Robert had been ordained priest in St Brigid's
• Vatican stories on Pages 2, 3 and 7
• Dulcie Hollow's story: Pages 10 and 11. • Other ordination stones and pictures Pages 2, 3, 16.
Runcie: Women priests not a permanent setback VATICAN CITY: Although Anglican and Catholic ecumenists agree that the ordination of women is an obstacle to full unity, "I don't think it is permanently blocked," Archbishop Runcie said at a press conference. He told reporters that the three private meetings he had with the pope were opportunities "to affirm so many things on which we agree, to together argue sometimes."
The archbishop said reasons for and against ordaining women were not discussed. Rather, the talks focused on more fundamental issues of how decisions are made in each of the churches and how changes are introduced. "This meeting has absolutely not been dominated by the issue of the ordination of women," said Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian
Unity. may "be more a matter of The cardinal, who eventual sharing of gifts joined Archbishop Run- than a removal of cie at the press confer- obstacles." About the delayed Vatence, said he "would never use the expression ican response to the first "blocked" to explain how A nglican -Roman the ordination of women Catholic International Commission Report, affects dialogue." "We have said this Archbishop Runcie said created a new obstacle," the length of time given the cardinal said. "And to its study is "a measure we hope to overcome it." of the seriousness" with Archbishop Runcie said which the Vatican views that for some Anglicans, it. Although the Council dealing with the Roman Catholic Church on the for Promoting Christian issue of women priests Unity issued its response
• Full text of the declaration on Page 7
Church Midland by Bishop Healy. Father Hollow is the third West Australian to have been ordained a Marist priest and will be returning to Sydney.
to the document, it was still being studied by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Cardinal Willebrands apologised for the delay, but said that in a church as large as the Roman Catholic Church, serious study and overcoming "internal struggles and differences of opinion" takes time. "I hope the quality of the answer will make you forget the delay," the cardinal said.
Good wishes after prayers... VATICAN CITY:- After Monday's signing of their joint declaration and reciting the Lord's Prayer, Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Runcie offered personal prayers and good wishes to each other. It was their last meeting during Archbishop Runcie's four day visit to the Vatican. The archbishop thanked the pope for "frank talk" and the opportunity "to meet in friendship around your table." Earlier in the day, the archbishop was given a tour of the excavations beneath St Peter's Basilica and was taken to the Vatican's secret archives. A special exhibit had been set up for Archbishop Runcie. It included love letters from King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn, who was to become the king's second wife, and Pope Pius V's letter excommunicating Queen ElizabethIin 1570.