Catholic bishops in Belgium authorize prayer for committed same-sex couples

The Flemish-speaking bishops of Belgium have appointed a contact person for ministry to and with gay Catholics and have authorized prayer for committed gay couples on the condition it is clear that it is not equivalent to a wedding blessing.

The document, “Being pastorally close to homosexual persons: For a welcoming church that excludes no one,” was dated Sept. 20 and posted on the website of the Belgian bishops.
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Posted: Sept. 20, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12522
Categories: CNS • In this article: Belgium, bishops, Catholic, human sexuality, LGBT, same-sex blessing Transmis : 20 sept. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12522
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : Belgium, bishops, Catholic, human sexuality, LGBT, same-sex blessing

Pope names three women to office that helps him choose bishops

Ten days after saying he would name two women to the group that helps him choose bishops, Pope Francis appointed three women to the office.

The Vatican announced July 13 that the pope had named 14 new members of the Dicastery for Bishops.

For the first time ever, the members include women: Sister Raffaella Petrini, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, who is secretary-general of the office governing Vatican City State; French Salesian Sister Yvonne Reungoat, former superior general of the order; and Maria Lia Zervino, an Argentine who is president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations.

The dicastery is led by Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet and is responsible for helping the pope choose bishops for Latin-rite dioceses outside of the church’s mission territories. Members meet twice a month to review dossiers submitted by Vatican nuncios about potential candidates and to vote on the names they recommend to the pope.
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Posted: July 13, 2022 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=12105
Categories: CNS • In this article: bishops, Pope Francis, Vatican, women Transmis : 13 juil. 2022 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=12105
Catégorie : CNS • Dans cet article : bishops, Pope Francis, Vatican, women

Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue holds annual meeting in Toronto

The Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue of Canada (ARC-B) held its most recent meeting in the Toronto area from November 27-29, 2019. The annual meeting facilitates opportunities for the Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops to share, learn, and discuss about their respective pastoral activities, update one another on the news from our churches, and further the aims of Christian unity in Canada. The Bishops specifically discussed issues relating to ecumenism, freedom of religion and conscience in Canadian society, interfaith partnerships, and various challenges and opportunities in chaplaincy ministry in military, corrections, and medical contexts. The ARC-B members were also joined for part of the meeting by the Roman Catholic and Anglican co-chairs of the Anglican-Roman Catholic theological dialogue of Canada (ARC) to discuss ARC’s current focus on the operations of synodical consultation and decision making in the two traditions. For several years now, both ARC-B and ARC have worked closely with one another, mutually enriching one another’s work and reflections.
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Posted: Dec. 13, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10728
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, CCCB, dialogue Transmis : 13 déc. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10728
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, CCCB, dialogue

Rencontre annuelle du Dialogue des évêques anglicans et catholiques romains à Toronto

Le Dialogue des évêques anglicans et catholiques romains du Canada (ARC-E) a tenu sa dernière rencontre dans la région de Toronto du 27 au 29 novembre 2019. Cette réunion annuelle est l’occasion pour les évêques de s’informer, de partager et de discuter sur leurs activités pastorales respectives, de faire le point sur l’actualité dans les deux Églises, et de promouvoir les objectifs de l’unité chrétienne au Canada. Les évêques ont notamment abordé des questions relatives à l’œcuménisme, à la liberté de religion et de conscience dans la société canadienne, aux partenariats interreligieux, ainsi que les défis et possibilités concernant l’aumônerie dans les forces armées, les services correctionnels et les milieux hospitaliers. Pendant une partie de leur réunion, les membres de l’ARC-E ont reçu les coprésidents anglican et catholique romain du Dialogue théologique anglican-catholique romain au Canada (ARC) pour discuter de la priorité actuelle de l’ARC sur le fonctionnement des consultations synodales et de la prise de décision dans les deux confessions. Il y a maintenant plusieurs années que l’ARC-E et l’ARC collaborent étroitement à enrichir mutuellement leurs travaux et leurs réflexions.
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Posted: Dec. 13, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10730
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, CCCB, dialogue Transmis : 13 déc. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10730
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, CCCB, dialogue

Watershed vote as Anglican Church of Canada supports an indigenous church

The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada has voted overwhelmingly to approve steps to enable a self-determining indigenous church within the Church. Following the approval of changes in canon law, the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, Mark MacDonald, was given the title and status of Archbishop. He will always be an invited guest at Sacred Circle — the national gatherings of indigenous Anglicans for prayer, worship, discernment, and decision-making — with a voice but no vote.

The resolution will allow the National Indigenous Ministry to make various changes on the composition of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) and Sacred Circle without needing the approval of General Synod.

Archbishop Mark said: “people often misinterpret what we’re doing as an attempt at independence, away from the church. We really wish to become an indigenous expression of the church, and we are only asking for the freedom and dignity that other Anglicans already enjoy.”
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Posted: July 19, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10586
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, Indigenous peoples, Mark Macdonald Transmis : 19 juil. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10586
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, Indigenous peoples, Mark Macdonald

Anglican Church of Canada elects its first female primate – Bishop Linda Nicholls

The Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) has elected Linda Nicholls, the Bishop of the Diocese of Huron, as its next primate. She will become the first woman to hold this position in the ACoC and only the second female primate in the Anglican Communion.

The election, held during the Church’s General Synod at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver on 13 July, began with five nominees. Bishop Linda was elected on the fourth ballot, with 64 per cent of lay votes and 71 per cent of votes among the clergy.

Speaking shortly after the election, Bishop Linda said: “you have bestowed on me an honour that I can hardly imagine, and it is terrifying. But it is also a gift, to be able to walk with the whole of the Anglican Church of Canada from coast to coast to coast.”
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Posted: July 15, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10584
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, Linda Nicholls Transmis : 15 juil. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10584
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, Linda Nicholls

A grateful moment for ecumenical leadership

National Lutheran Bishop Susan Johnson and Anglican Primate Fred Hiltz will complete their ministry together as leaders in partnership of their respective churches this year. Hiltz announced last year that he would be stepping down at the end of General Synod this July and that a new primate would be elected to succeed him.

Hiltz and Johnson shared a common outlook during the 12 years they have worked together. In the same week in 2007, they were both elected head of their church at parallel assemblies held in Winnipeg. Since this coincidental beginning, they have both passionately modelled what each espouses: strong and growing Anglican-Lutheran relations.
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Posted: June 21, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10556
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, full communion Transmis : 21 juin 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10556
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, full communion

New Greek Archbishop of America: Elpidophoros of Bursa

Axios, Church! Receive this news from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. On Saturday May 11 2019, “the Holy and Sacred Synod, continuing its work, proceeded to fill the vacated seat of the Archdiocese of America following the voluntary resignation of its shepherd, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America.

Therefore, following the suggestion, permission and exhortation of His-All Holiness, the holy synodical members upon invocation of the Holy Spirit, duly casted their votes and unanimously elected as Archbishop of America His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Halki and Professor of the Theological School of the Aristoteleian University of Thessaloniki.”
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Posted: May 15, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10553
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Greek Orthodox, Orthodox, USA Transmis : 15 mai 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10553
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Greek Orthodox, Orthodox, USA

Joint Meeting of Catholic and Anglican Bishops in UK

The Catholic bishops of England and Wales and Church of England bishops met in Leicester from 16 to 17 January for their biennial conference.

Together 27 Catholic and 27 Anglican bishops explored a diverse range of subjects including opportunities for closer collaboration at a regional and national level. Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu were present throughout. Cardinal Nichols and Archbishop Welby addressed the gathering.

Dr Paula Gooder and Professor Paul Murray, members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, led the bishops in reflection on its latest document Walking Together On The Way. Drawing on their rich experience of walking together as fellow pilgrims, the bishops considered the life of their global communions. They explored similarities and differences between the structures of their churches.
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Posted: Jan. 17, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10345
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Church of England Transmis : 17 janv. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10345
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Church of England

Leicester capital of ecumenism for two-day meeting between Anglicans and Catholics

Fifty bishops – 25 Anglicans and 25 Catholics – will convene in the British city next January 16-17. Rev Worthen told SIR: “Spirituality, theology and coexistence will be the ingredients of the meeting” that with a tight agenda: liturgy and debates with the spotlight on the Declaration “Walking together along the way”

Next January 16 and 17 fifty bishops, half of them Catholic and half of them Anglican, will convene in Leicester, central England, a city with an important tradition of interreligious dialogue, for a two-day ecumenical meeting. These meetings take place every two or three years, providing participants with the opportunity to create precious relations based on mutual esteem, friendship and cooperation. “Spirituality, theology and coexistence are the ingredients of the Leicester meeting”, said Rev Jeremy Worthen, Secretary for Ecumenical Relations at the Council for Christian Unity, a body of the Church of England in charge of fostering relations between Christian churches. “The Church of England is in charge of organizing this year’s two-day event that will take place behind closed doors. In addition to the bishops, the meeting will be attended also by press officers and administrative staff.”
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Posted: Jan. 14, 2019 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10347
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Church of England Transmis : 14 janv. 2019 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10347
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Church of England

Cannabis use for fun ‘sinful behaviour,’ B.C. and Yukon bishops tell Catholics

Catholic bishops in British Columbia and Yukon have endorsed medical marijuana use, but condemned recreational pot smoking as contrary to the teachings of the church.

In a letter posted online in late November, the bishops — six from B.C. and one from Whitehorse — warn that “the mere fact that an activity is made legal by the government does not automatically mean that it is morally acceptable.” Recreational cannabis became legal in Canada on Oct. 17, one of the signature accomplishments of Justin Trudeau’s government.

But the letter from all six B.C. bishops and the one Yukon bishop distinguishes between therapeutic uses, such as controlling for pain and nausea, and toking for fun. In the former, the letter states, impairment “can be accepted as a foreseen but unintended secondary effect of the drug’s beneficial use.” Medical cannabis has been legal in Canada for nearly two decades.
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Posted: Dec. 5, 2018 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10318
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Canada, cannabis, Catholic Transmis : 5 déc. 2018 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10318
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Canada, cannabis, Catholic

Northern Alberta Anglican, Roman Catholic priests meet, compare notes

Anglican and Roman Catholic leaders in northern Alberta say they’re looking forward to repeating this fall a conference held last November involving clergy from both denominations.

More than two dozen clergy from the Anglican diocese of Athabasca and the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan gathered in November 15, 2017 at Slave Lake, Alta., for a one-day conference, to get acquainted and share thoughts and experiences about doing ministry in Alberta’s north.

“We thought it went very well, and I think the clergy found it quite valuable,” says Bishop Fraser Lawton, of the diocese of Athabasca. “I think they appreciated just getting to know one another.”
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Posted: June 15, 2018 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10357
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic Transmis : 15 juin 2018 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10357
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic

Anglican and Roman Catholic leaders in Ireland herald 20th anniversary of Belfast Agreement

The leaders of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches in Ireland have issued a joint statement celebrating “all that has been achieved in building peace” since the historic Belfast Agreement was signed 20 years ago. In a joint statement on eve of the 20th anniversary of the agreement, which is also known as the Good Friday Agreement, as it was agreed by political parties on 10 April 1998 – Good Friday – Archbishops Richard Clarke and Eamon Martin, say that the agreement “has continuing potential to transform society and life for all of us. Nothing remotely its equal has been outlined then or since.”

Archbishop Richard is the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Primates of the Church of Ireland; Archbishop Martin is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and leader of the Catholic Church in the country. They say that the Good Friday Agreement “sought to address contentious political problems in the context of decades of violence, divided communities and immense suffering and death on our streets. As such it was a complex and, in places, controversial document.
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Posted: Apr. 9, 2018 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10353
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Ireland, peace Transmis : 9 avril 2018 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10353
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Ireland, peace

A hopeful step for Lutheran-Catholic couples

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has welcomed a recent resolution by the German Catholic bishops’ conference to make it possible for Catholic-Lutheran married couples to receive the Eucharist together.

This development follows the Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation in 2016, where the LWF and the Catholic Church expressed it as a joint pastoral responsibility to “respond to the spiritual thirst and hunger” of many of their members “who yearn to receive the Eucharist at one table, as the concrete expression of full unity.”

In the German Bishops Conference earlier this month, the Catholic bishops agreed to provide an orientation that would help local Catholic priests and their bishops to formally decide on a case-by-case basis to open the Eucharist to Protestant spouses, which in Germany would include Lutherans, Reformed and members of united churches.
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Posted: Feb. 23, 2018 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10230
Categories: Lutheran World Information • In this article: bishops, Catholic, eucharist, Germany, Lutheran, sacramental sharing Transmis : 23 févr. 2018 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10230
Catégorie : Lutheran World Information • Dans cet article : bishops, Catholic, eucharist, Germany, Lutheran, sacramental sharing

Irish Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops meet

In the spirit of the recommendation of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) that there should be regular meetings of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops in individual countries to discuss common concerns, a sixth such meeting of Irish bishops took place in Dublin on Saturday, 28th September. Thirteen bishops were present representing the Irish Episcopal Conference and the House of Bishops. In an atmosphere marked by positivity and candour, the bishops discussed a wide range of issues of common interest in relation to the ministry and service churches offer in Irish society, both north and south of the border. These included education; engagement with young people; the World Meeting of Families, emphasizing its ecumenical possibilities; the plight of refugees and migrants; and current social issues. All the participants said the experience was very valuable as they shared insightful perspectives that engendered renewed commitment to promoting the Kingdom of God.
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Posted: Oct. 12, 2017 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=9756
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Ireland Transmis : 12 oct. 2017 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=9756
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Ireland

We need each other: In Quebec, ecumenism is a matter of survival

According to a story often repeated in the diocese of Quebec, when the first Anglican bishop, Jacob Mountain, arrived in Quebec City in 1793, he was greeted on the dock by his Roman Catholic counterpart, Bishop Jean-François Hubert.

“Your people are waiting for you,” said Hubert, welcoming Mountain to his new home.

While relations between French Catholics and English Protestants in Quebec have not always been so cordial, the leadership of the two churches have long understood the practical need to work together in a province where religion historically has played an outsized role in public life.
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Posted: Dec. 16, 2016 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10394
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Québec Transmis : 16 déc. 2016 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10394
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, Québec

Bishops say Church has failed children, women, and indigenous peoples

A group of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops have acknowledged both churches’ failure to protect children, women and indigenous peoples. In a statement issued by the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) today following the group’s historic meeting in Canterbury and Rome last month, they call on the Church to repent and seek justice for victims. They say that, “at the foot of the Cross we, as bishops, have reflected on an ‘ecumenism of humiliation’. We lament our failures and share the brokenness of our church communities.”

They continue: “We failed to protect vulnerable people: children from sexual abuse, women from violence, and indigenous peoples from exploitation.

“In this communion of shame, we confess that our own feeble witness to God’s call to life in community has contributed to the isolation of individuals and families, and even to that secularisation which removes God from the public space. We, as bishops, are called to lead the church in repentance and to seek justice for the abused.”

The bishops have called their statement “an appeal from the IARCCUM bishops to the bishops and the people of the Anglican and Catholic communities.”
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Posted: Nov. 25, 2016 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10388
Categories: ACNS • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM, pilgrimage Transmis : 25 nov. 2016 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10388
Catégorie : ACNS • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM, pilgrimage

Bishops commissioned to work together

A call for Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops from around the world to work more closely together in witness and joint mission is part of the ongoing fruit of a unique eight-day gathering held earlier this fall in Canterbury and Rome, says Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen.

“We were commissioned as pairs of bishops to go and work together, to witness together wherever possible, and to encourage our brother bishops to work together,” says Bolen, one of the bishops from around the world commissioned for the task by Pope Francis and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

“The ongoing story is what the pairs of Anglican and Catholic bishops can do together across Canada, and across the world.”

The purpose of the summit was to discover where Catholics and Anglicans can give greater witness to their common faith and collaborate in mission to the world, based on 50 years of dialogue and the agreed statements of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the IARCCUM document, “Growing Together in Unity and Mission.”
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Posted: Nov. 23, 2016 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=10390
Categories: News • In this article: Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM, pilgrimage Transmis : 23 nov. 2016 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=10390
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : Anglican, bishops, Catholic, IARCCUM, pilgrimage

Alberta-NWT Catholic bishops issue guidelines for pastoral care of those who are divorced and remarried, and those considering euthanasia or assisted suicide

The Roman Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories have issued some new guidance for priests, deacons, and pastoral workers in caring for individuals and families in difficult contemporary situations. One document aims to answer the call of Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, particularly to assist priests in their duty to accompany those Catholics who are divorced and remarried without having received a decree of nullity. The other follows the legalization in Canada of assisted suicide and euthanasia (“Medical Assistance In Dying”), and focuses on spiritual and sacramental considerations in caring for individuals and families who may be considering death by these means. “The ultimate aim of these guidelines is to help the faithful understand the beautiful teachings of the Church on sacramental marriage, the dignity of the human person, and the inviolable sanctity of human life,” said Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, who serves as president of the Alberta-NWT Bishops. “We know that many Catholics, often due to the messages they receive through the secular culture, have come to some serious misunderstandings around life and family issues,” he said.
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Posted: Sept. 14, 2016 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=9523
Categories: News • In this article: bishops, Catholic, divorce & remarriage, eucharist, euthanasia, pastoral care, physician assisted suicide Transmis : 14 sept. 2016 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=9523
Catégorie : News • Dans cet article : bishops, Catholic, divorce & remarriage, eucharist, euthanasia, pastoral care, physician assisted suicide

Anglican bishops respond to authorized lay ministry in ELCIC

When the Anglican House of Bishops met in Niagara Falls, Ont., in mid-October, one of the first items on the agenda was the policy of authorized lay ministry adopted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) during its National Convention this summer.

Sometimes called “lay presidency,” authorized lay ministry is a dispensation by which—in extraordinary circumstances—lay people can preside over services of the eucharist. While it can hardly be considered part of standard Lutheran practice, the convention voted in July to allow it in heavily circumscribed circumstances.

In an interview with the Anglican Journal, ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson said that the measures were brought in to meet a serious need.

“We find ourselves with occasional situations where it’s difficult and/or impossible to provide regular word and sacrament ministry,” she said, explaining that after considering a number of possibilities, including greater use of reserve sacraments and local ordination, authorized lay ministry was seen to be the “best compromise.”
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Posted: Oct. 29, 2015 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=8835
Categories: Anglican Journal • In this article: Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, eucharist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, full communion, lay presidency Transmis : 29 oct. 2015 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=8835
Catégorie : Anglican Journal • Dans cet article : Anglican Church of Canada, bishops, eucharist, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, full communion, lay presidency