From the Church Times in England- (Love the hat)NATIONAL and international discussions about church unity have been largely replaced by local action, church leaders say this week. The Archbishop of Canterbury confesses that he “finds echoes” of impatience with national bodies within himself.
Five church leaders — Dr Willi ams, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Dr Martyn Atkins (Methodist), the Revd Jonathan Edwards (Baptist), and the Revd Roberta Rominger (United Reformed Church) — responded to a set of four questions asked by the editors of the Baptist Times and the Church Times. Their replies are also published in the Methodist Recorder and Reform.
They acknowledge a loss of impetus in national efforts to bring about unity. Dr Atkins talks of “less enthusiasm for unity as an end in itself”; Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor speaks of “a slowing down of progress”, despite increased commitment; and Dr Williams says: “You won’t find much interest in what you might call the ‘negotiating’ side of unity.”
But each speaks of an increase in what Ms Rominger calls “a partnership of purpose and ac tion”. Mr Edwards says: “Baptists are more involved in working with other denominations than ever before.” Dr Atkins says that there is “greater enthusiasm for focused ecumenical action, such as community projects. I think this kind of focus is much more helpful. We can express our unity in constructive ways.”
Dr Williams speaks of “an uncomfortable gap between national bodies and local enthusiasm”. He recalls the former British Council of Churches, and says that “there was some feeling that this was a credible mouthpiece for the Churches on many issues.”
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=69374
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