(SE): During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops, including Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., are in Rome and Canterbury between January 22 and 29 for an ecumenical summit called “Growing Together”.
The summit aims to strengthen friendship and commitment between Catholics and Anglicans for joint witness and mission in a fragmented world. The bishops are participating in pairs, one Anglican and one Catholic. They will work towards a joint statement outlining how they will seek to walk together in mission and witness to unite in greater collaboration between Anglicans and Catholics.
The meeting will combine a series of conversations on themes of synodality, authority and service, the environment, peace and reconciliation—especially in the Middle East, Sudan and South Sudan and Myanmar—and safeguarding.
While praying, reflecting, and learning from one another, bishops will also make pilgrimages to sacred sites in Rome and Canterbury.
The meeting will combine a series of conversations on themes of synodality, authority and service, the environment, peace and reconciliation—especially in the Middle East, Sudan and South Sudan and Myanmar—and safeguarding
In Rome [January 22 to 26], visits will include St. Peter’s Basilica for Anglican Choral Evensong; San Bartolomeo Church on Tiber Island [the Sanctuary of the New Martyrs], where the Archbishop of Canterbury will preside and preach at an Anglican Eucharist; the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls; and a visit to San Gregorio Church, from where Pope St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine’s mission to England.
On January 25, near the tomb of the Apostle Paul at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury will commission the bishops, sending them out in pairs to be witnesses to Christian Unity. This will be a significant moment in the programme, symbolic of Anglican-Catholic bonds and advancing ecumenical dialogue.
In Canterbury [January 26 to 29], bishops will continue discussions, participate in a candlelit tour in Canterbury Cathedral, the Saturday Vigil Mass in St Thomas of Canterbury parish church, and the Sunday Choral Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral, where Cardinal Stephen will preach.
Over 50 bishops are participating in Anglican and Catholic pairs, representing different countries from around the world.
Source: Anglican Communion News Service
