Anglicans, Lutherans embrace relationship

 — July 15, 198915 juil. 1989

by Paul de Groot, Edmonton Journal

[SASKATOON] Bishops of the Anglican and Lutheran churches embraced here Friday, symbolizing a new, closer relationship between their churches.

“This is a thrilling and a tremendous time,” said Anglican bishop Walter Jones of Winnipeg, moments after the biennial convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada approved a new resolution on co-operation and sharing with the Anglican Church of Canada.

Anglicans approved an identical resolution last month at their General Synod in Newfoundland.

Delegates to the Lutheran convention stood and applauded as their presiding bishop, Rev. Donald Sjoberg, embraced Jones.

Though largely symbolic, sharing of communion is viewed as an important step toward unity by Christian churches.

As a result of the accord, the two churches agree to:

* Recognize each other as churches “in which the Gospel is preached and taught.”

* Welcome each other’s members to participate in communion in each other’s churches, in what is called “interim sharing of the eucharist.”

* Sponsor special joint communion services using the communion rite of the minister — Lutheran or Anglican — who is presiding.

* Pray regularly for each other’s churches and leaders.

* Encourage joint studies of the Bible and its religious traditions.

* Share facilities.

* Initiate joint programs in evangelism and social action.

The agreement parallels a similar agreement between Lutherans and Anglicans in the United States.

The agreement is a partial step toward having each church recognize the training and the ordination of clergy in each other’s churches.

Each church will send representatives to services of ordination and installation of the other’s clergy, but they will not, at this time, participate in the laying on of hands which symbolizes complete acceptance of the other’s clergy.

Posted: July 15, 1989 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=6196
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Lutheran Transmis : 15 juil. 1989 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=6196
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, Christian unity, dialogue, ecumenism, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Lutheran