It shows a major development in ecumenism by establishing that difference is not cause for suspicion or reproach but is rather an opportunity for mutual listening, learning and conversion.

The statement, Walking Together on the Way: Learning to Be the Church — Local, Regional, Universal, was released to the public July 2 after seven years of joint meetings and consultations.

In their introduction co-chairmen, Catholic archbishop Bernard Longley and Anglican archbishop Sir David Moxon wrote that the document sought to develop the issues of authority and ecclesial communion "in a new way."

Moxon, who is a New Zealander, was the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative in Rome from December 2012 until June 2017, when he retired and returned to New Zealand.

He had previously been the Bishop of Waikato in the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki, the archbishop of the New Zealand dioceses and one of the three primates of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

The document proposes that the understanding how the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion structure authority and exercise authority in communion on the local, regional and global levels are key for understanding how each body discerns its teaching and practices on critical issues in ethics and moral theology.

It says this is also key for understanding and addressing questions, debates or divisions experienced internally within the churches.

This means the document also seeks to inform, enrich and help not just the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion on an ecumenical level, but also in dealing with their own internal debates and tensions.

Catholics can learn from Anglicans in giving a greater role to the laity in matters of church governance and more authority to local bishops' conferences.

Anglicans should focus on setting up structures and processes that safeguard the worldwide identity of its Communion and avoid becoming too focused on one province.

Source

• thebostonpilot.co
• en.wikipedia.org
• thetablet.co.uk
• Image: southportcatholicchurches.org

The meeting was part of their ongoing commitment to dialogue between the two Churches.

They have previously met on numerous occasions and worked together on issues including homelessness, poverty, trafficking and the environment.

The bishops shared a meal and gathered in prayer on Tuesday evening, before Wednesday's meeting.

Archbishop Sir David Moxon, of the Anglican Church, joined the gathering to share reflections on Anglican-Roman Catholic Ecumenism including ways to work together in areas of justice, development and peacemaking.

As part of the day's discussions, the bishops looked at a new approach to Maori Pastoral Care in Aotearoa.

The Wellington Catholic Archdiocese was discussed, as an example, where a new approach to Maori Pastoral Care is being implemented to enable Archdiocese services to build their respective Maori capability and capacity.

During the day, the bishops also considered the topic of secularisation, tracing the history of secular thought, its philosophical and scientific underpinnings and some results, both positive and negative, of such changes in mainly Western society.

Bishop Philip Richardson who, as Archbishop, shares the leadership of the Anglican Church in these islands, said "Catholic and Anglican Bishops have enjoyed strong friendships over many years.

"These friendships have translated into cooperation on many things at a local level and across the country."

Bishop Patrick Dunn, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops, commented further, "the bishops have shared some really fruitful discussions on a number of issues and this meeting has been a valuable opportunity to reconnect and reflect on how we can continue to work in achieving our shared goals."

Source
Supplied: Amanda Gregan
Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

He was speaking prior to a housing forum organised by the Anglican and Catholic churches of Wellington.

Approximately 600 people attended the forum in the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul on Wednesday evening.

The assistant Anglican bishop of Wellington, Eleanor Sanderson, and Cardinal Dew opened the evening with reflections on what it means to be at home, and what the nation needs in order for this to be possible. Watch

Dew reminding those present that on a global scale, New Zealand has the worst rate of homelessness in the OECD - according to a Yale University study.

He told those present that they had a responsibility towards the homeless.

"As we prepare for this General Election, let's ensure that we elect a government which will work to provide housing for all, a government who will provide homes that will cater for all living in this country, and create a setting for a dignified life," he said.

Bishop Justin Duckworth, the Anglican bishop of Wellington provided a provocative reminder to those in Parliament. Watch

"Our challenge is to make sure that even though it seems like the people next door [in Parliament] don't seem to care enough to cross the road, we will make sure that they hear our voice."

"We're talking about probably the issue that in the polls is the greatest issue facing New Zealanders. For me, this is no longer about housing, it's just simply about do you care? Do you actually care?"

Turning to address the politicians, Bishop Justin asked: "can you people do me a favour and can you take a message to the house next door, and say: 'we care'."

"We've come from all around Wellington because we care. And I want you to know that we cared enough to turn out tonight because we're gonna vote on this issue."

Short presentations made by the politicians

• National Party: Hon Alfred Ngaro watch
• Conservative Party: Leighton Baker watch,
• Labour Party housing spokesperson: Phil Twyford watch
• The Opportunities Party: Jenny Condie from watch
• United Future: Roger Ellis watch

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei was scheduled to speak but just hours before the forum she had resigned as co-leader of the Greens.

New Zealand First, Act and the Maori Party were not represented.

Other presentations

• Working with Hutt Valley's most vulnerable people watch
• Tenants suffering in dire conditions watch
• Karen Holland from Soup Kitchen: The voices of the homeless watch

Sources

• The New Zealand Herald
• Anglican Communion News Service
• Movement
• Movement
• Image: AllEvents

Attendance is welcome and there is no charge.

The forum formally starts at 6:30pm on 9 August 2017, with snacks and drinks available from 5:45pm and the Wellington Community Choir at 6:15pm. The venue is the Anglican Cathedral of St Paul, corner of Molesworth St and John St.

Political Party spokespeople attending the forum will include National's Alfred Ngaro, the Labour party's Phil Twyford, Green party co-leader, Metiria Turei, Ron Mark of NZ First, United Future's Roger Ellis and Jenny Condi of The Opportunities Party.

With less than two months until our country's general election, home affordability is one of the main issues being kicked around the political football field, yet all the while reaching crisis level. Stories of families unable to afford a home or struggling to pay rent while others sleep in cars, motels and overcrowded accommodation have become all too common.

Cardinal John states, "Excessive rents and inflated house prices are leaving families homeless and young couples despondent. Without effective policies to support regional and provincial economic development and employment, many New Zealanders are paying a high price, which will affect generations to come."

Reinforcing this message, Bishop Justin recently called churches in his Diocese to a month of prayer and action on the housing crisis. This election forum will come during this period.

The forum will provide an opportunity for members of the community to join the Cardinal and Bishop to hear community stories of those affected, discuss Christian perspectives and action on tackling the housing crisis. Those attending can hear directly from political parties on how they intend to address the housing crisis.

For further information visit www.facebook.com

He said the relationship was "akin to an extended family."

Dew and Bishop Ross Bay, the Anglican bishop of Auckland have been representing New Zealand at meeting with Pope Francis, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Bay said "The relationship we have is both liturgical and pastoral and extends to the work we do in civil society."

"We share our joys, sorrows and concerns for both our respective communities and wider society."

"This gathering is another historical and significant step in the relationship both at home in New Zealand and globally," he said.

Pairs of bishops from 19 different regions where Anglicans and Catholics live side by side in significant numbers were at the meeting.

They gathered on 30 September in Canterbury. On October 3 they moved to the Vatican.

The purpose of the meeting was to discover new ways for Roman Catholics and Anglicans to give greater witness to their common faith, and particularly how they can collaborate in mission to the world.

Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby commissioned the 36 bishops to take part in united mission in their local areas.

The commissioning and sending took place during Vespers led jointly by Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby, at the Church of Saint Gregory on the Caelian Hill in Rome.

This is the church from where Pope Gregory sent Augustine to evangelise the Anglo-Saxon people.

The service was one of the highlights of an ecumenical summit organised by Iarccum to mark the 50th anniversary of the meeting between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in 1966.

That meeting was the first such public meeting between a Pope and an Archbishop of Canterbury since the Reformation.

Subsequently, Pope John Paul II with Archbishop Robert Runcie, and later with Archbishop George Carey.

Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Rowan Williams prayed together in the Church of Saint Gregory.
Source

• Supplied
• anglicannews.org
• Image: Supplied

Cardinal John will first go to Canterbury, in England where he will join the IARCCUM Pilgrims; 36 Anglican and Catholic bishops, representing 19 different regions.

The bishops will begin the first leg of their meeting on 30th September in Canterbury.

They will be staying at the Lodge in Canterbury Cathedral, will take part in the liturgical life of the Cathedral.

And they will make a pilgrim visit to the shrine of St Thomas à Becket, where Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Robert Runcie prayed together.

On October 3 the bishops move on to Rome and will be staying near the Vatican.

They will make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles, Ss Peter and Paul.

They will then participate in the vespers celebrated by Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby at San Gregorio al Celio on 5th October, to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey.

At these vespers it is anticipated that the bishops will be mandated by Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby, in their ecumenical mission.

On the same day the bishops will attend an academic symposium at the Gregorian University.

"50 years of walking together in faith" is a symposium to be held Wednesday, 5 October 2016 at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

This symposium will be an opportunity to explore in detail some of the achievements of 50 years of dialogue between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.

IARCCUM is a commission established by the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church as an official joint commission.

IARCCUM exists in parallel with the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, the theological commission known as ARCIC.

ARCIC is the Anglican - Roman Catholic International Commission established by Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI in 1967.

Source

• iarccum.org
• Image: iarccum.org