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By Junno Arocho Esteves
ROME (CNS) — The path toward Christian unity
can’t be found
isolated in a laboratory hashing out theological differences, but rather by walking
together on a common journey,
Pope Francis said.
While
theological dialogue is necessary, Catholics and Anglicans can continue to
“help each other in our needs, in our lives and help each other
spiritually,” the pope said Feb. 26 while answering questions from parishioners
of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Rome.
“This
cannot be done in a laboratory; it must be done walking together along the way.
We are on a journey and while we walk, we can have these (theological)
discussions,” he said.
The
pope made history as the first pontiff to visit the Anglican parish, which was
celebrating the 200th anniversary of its establishment in Rome.
Invited
by the Anglican community, Pope Francis took part in an evening liturgy and
blessed an icon of Christ the Savior to commemorate the occasion.
The
prayer service included a “twinning” pledge between All Saints’
Anglican Church and the Catholic parish that shares its name in Rome. As Pope Francis
looked on, the pastors of both parishes signed a pledge to collaborate in joint
retreats, works of charity and sharing meals with each other.
Rev. Jonathan Boardman, chaplain of the Anglican church in Rome, presented the pope
with several gifts that highlight his concern for the poor and the
marginalized, including a promise to serve meals to the homeless once a week in
his name.
He
also said 50 English Bibles
will be given in the pope’s name to Anglican nuns in Rome who minister to the city’s
prostitutes.
The
Anglican community also presented Pope Francis with a basket of homemade jams
and chutneys as well as a Simnel
cake, a traditional fruitcake typically served on the fourth Sunday of Lent and adorned with 11
marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles, minus Judas.
After
welcoming the pope to the parish, Rev. Boardman noted that when divisions first
began, the title “Bishop of Rome” was once used by Anglicans as an
insult “or an attempt to belittle it.”
“Today
for us recognizing your unique role in witnessing to the Gospel and leading
Christ’s church, it is ironic that what we once used in a cruel attempt to ‘put
you in your place’ has become the key to your pastoral kindness in being
alongside us and so many other Christians around the world,” Rev. Boardman
said.
The pope thanked the congregation and
acknowledged that much has changed between Anglicans and Catholics, “who
in the past viewed each other with suspicion and hostility.”
“Today,
with gratitude to God, we recognize one another as we truly are: brothers and
sisters in Christ, through our common baptism. As friends and pilgrims, we wish
to walk the path together, to follow our Lord Jesus Christ together,” he
said.
He
also emphasized the need for Catholics and Anglicans to work together to help
those in need in order to build “true, solid communion” through a
“united witness to charity.”
Following
the prayer service, the pope took some moments to answer questions from several
members of the Anglican church.
Asked
what was his take on current relations between Catholics and Anglicans, the
pope said that while relations between the two communities have been at times “two steps
forward, half step back,” they are still good and “we care for each
other like brothers and
sisters.”
Ernest,
an Anglican seminarian, also asked the pope whether Anglicans and Catholics in
Europe can learn from the example of churches in Asia, Africa and the Pacific
whose “ecumenical relations are better and more creative.”
Pope
Francis said the younger churches “have a different vitality” and
have a “stronger need” to collaborate.
An
example of this, he added, was a request made by Anglican, Catholic and
Presbyterian bishops of South Sudan for him to visit the country along with
Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury.
“This
creativity came from them, the young church. And we are thinking about whether it can be
done, if the situation is too difficult down there. But we must do it because
they — the three (bishops) — together want peace and they are working
together for peace,” the pope said.
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