Thursday, May 21, 2009

Catholics, Anglicans sign covenant


THE signing of a covenant between the Anglican diocese of Brisbane and the Catholic dioceses of Brisbane and Toowoomba next Friday (May 29) will celebrate a Queensland relationship between the two Churches that goes back to this State’s foundation.

Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall, and Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane and Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba will be joint signatories to the covenant at a combined act of worship at St Stephen’s Cathedral starting 7.30pm.

Catholics throughout Brisbane archdiocese have been invited to the historical event known as “A Celebration of Our Common Sesquicentenary and a Signing of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Covenant” .

The event will also mark the 25th anniversary of Archbishop Francis Rush and Anglican Archbishop John Grindrod’s signing of a Common Declaration in support of ecumenical co-operation in St John’s Cathedral on the same date in 1984.

Dean of St Stephen’s Cathedral and member of the covenant’s organising committee Fr Ken Howell said he “vividly remembered being present at this ceremony”.

“All present were filled with hope and optimism for the greater working together of Anglicans and Catholics as a result of the agreement,” Fr Howell said.

“It also seems very appropriate to renew this agreement in the sesquicentenary year of both dioceses.”

Project officer for the archdiocese’s sesquicentenary celebrations Catherine Newell said heads of many major churches throughout Queensland, as well as public dignitaries, have been invited to “this significant ecumenical event which will take place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”.


More here-

http://www.catholicleader.com.au/index.php?id=4893

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