The first principle of the Ordinariate is then about Christian unity. St. Basil the Great, the Church’s greatest ecumenist, literally expended his life on the work of building bridges between orthodox brethren who shared a common faith, but who had become separated from one another in a Church badly fragmented by heresy and controversy. He taught that the work of Christian unity requires deliberate and ceaseless effort...St. Basil often talked with yearning about the archaia agape, the ancient love of the apostolic community, so rarely seen in the Church of his day. This love, he taught, is a visible sign that the Holy Spirit is indeed present and active, and it is absolutely essential for the health of the Church.

- Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson, Homily on the Occasion of his Formal Institution as Ordinary

Monday, November 30, 2009

On Anglicanorum Coetibus from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

At its November Plenary meeting, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference discussed and welcomed the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus of Pope Benedict XVI, providing for Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

This Constitution enables the bishops to respond to requests received here in Australia.

To assist those who have approached individual bishops, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has appointed Bishop Peter Elliott as the delegate in this matter, and we encourage any Anglicans who wish to take up the provisions of the Constitution to make initial contact with him.

The bishops reaffirm their commitment to the ecumenical journey with the Anglican bishops and communities of Australia. They express their gratitude to the Anglican bishops who have similarly reaffirmed their commitment to ecumenical relationships with the Catholic Church at this time.

Contact details for Bishop Peter Elliott:
Bishop Peter Elliott,
PO Box 62,
ORMOND VIC 3204.
(03) 9576 9145

Original file here.
pelliott@melbourne.catholic.org.au

No comments:

Post a Comment