1 Anglican Centre in CENTRO News JANUARY 2021

In This Issue A REFLECTION ON VADE MECUM

Bringing Voices Together Week of Prayer for Christian Unity “The Anglican Seminarians in Rome Centre provides a permanent base Hospitality & Encounters for the in webinar on Newman Rome”. A bridge between two traditions Revd Dr Will Adam St 800th Anniversary

www.anglicancentreinrome.org 2 REFLECTIONS The Director writes:

s we put together this second issue of the Centro ACR News, I am reminding myself of the sanctifying, unifying and liberating presence of Christ as we navigate the waves of our turbulent world. The following pages and images exemplifyA it. The Anglican Centre, through the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit, lives its calling as it strives to reach out to others – even at a time when movement is restricted and we are unable to meet with each other. The contributions to the newsletter from people of different backgrounds inform us of a spiritual energy at work. We can see God’s power strengthening our commitment as fellow disciples of Christ to stand together, sharing the Good News.

It is true that with a spirit of goodwill and kindness, as shown by Jesus himself, we can discover the other as a companion of Christ. We can learn a lot from this experience which can be without any doubt a challenging one. Thus, may we always abide in Christ so that the fruits we bear can bring hope to our turbulent world.

From The Revd Dr Will Adam Archbishop of ’s Ecumenical Adviser, Director for Unity, Faith and Order in the Anglican Communion

he Anglican Centre provides a permanent base for the Anglican Communion in Rome. Over more than 50 years the Centre and its successive directors have played a major role in the development of the relationship between Anglicans and Catholics around the world, establishing and maintaining contacts between these two Communions with global Tpresence. The Director of the Centre, as the ‘ambassador’ of to the , plays a crucial day to day role in this.

Over the years the Centre has been a base for Anglicans visiting Rome and the location of an educational programme through its various courses. In this time of pandemic, where travel has become nigh on impossible, the Centre has adapted and, moving online, has seen its reach grow both in numbers and in geography.

Vade mecum thinking on What a new guide for tell us

f anyone thought that ecumenism their own dioceses, and a ‘crib sheet’ of was something Catholic bishops the ecumenical thinking of the Church, might focus on once a year during from the to Iunity week and then forget about, the present day. It leaves them in no a new document endorsed by doubt as to how much of a priority Francis will put them straight. ecumenical mission is. Just before Christmas, The “ cannot consider the and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical promotion of the ecumenical cause as Vade Mecum was published by the one more task in his varied ministry, for the Promoting one that could and should be deferred of Christian Unity to remind Roman in view of other, apparently more Catholic bishops that ecumenical work important priorities,” it says. is not an option but an obligatory part And if any bishop or anyone else of episcopal ministry. still needed further evidence of how A Vade Mecum is effectively a seriously Rome takes ecumenism, way of describing a document as a the line-up at the presentation of the guidebook and this guide, given Pope document made it clear, with not one Francis’ blessing, provides bishops with but four of the Vatican’s most senior a series of practical recommendations : Cardinals , president to improve ecumenical relations in of the Pontifical Council for Promoting 3

Christian Unity; , “By weighing truths rather than of Communion, reconciliation and of the ; simply enumerating them, Catholics anointing can be open to other , prefect of the gain a more accurate understanding of Christians who share a common Congregation for the Evangelization of the unity that exists among Christians,” baptism, although Vatican officials Peoples; and , prefect the document says. have recently cautioned German of the Congregation for Eastern That unity is evident in many ways, bishops for inviting Lutherans married Churches. from a common baptism to common to Catholics to receive Communion. According to Cardinal Tagle, prayer and joint action to alleviate Catholics cannot share the divisions between Christians should suffering and promote justice. Eucharist with other Christians just not be taken into missionary lands, In recent times efforts to engage in to be “polite,” but there are pastoral for they deter people who might theological dialogue and a willingness situations in which individual bishops otherwise be looking for salvation. to recognize how God has worked may decide when “exceptional sacramental sharing is appropriate,” “The non-Christians are in another community and to learn the document says. scandalized, really scandalized, when from it – what is known as receptive we Christians claim to be followers of ecumenism – have also reflected When considering sharing the Christ and then they see how we are Christians’ desire to find ways to come sacraments, it says, bishops must keep fighting one another,” he said. together. Strong friendships have two principles in mind at all times, formed and the hostility and suspicion even when those principles create For those particularly committed to of the past now seem some way off. tension: a sacrament, especially the ecumenism in other denominations, But the document nevertheless urges Eucharist, is a “witness to the unity this new document is not just a Catholics “to lay aside the polemical of the church, ”and a sacrament is a welcome endorsement of the search language and prejudices of the past” “sharing of the means of grace”. for unity but also gives a sense of and points out that Roman Catholic thinking on the issue. While the issue of shared law that it is a bishop’s It points out that ecumenism is not Communion has caused personal responsibility to foster ecumenism. about looking for a truce – although distress to many people, and some people might argue that a truce For those, though, who long above seems to many to be a block to would once have been mightily helpful all else for the day when Anglicans further ecumenical progress, it is when divisions were so much more and Catholics might share Holy not perceived in this way in Rome, evident – because no compromise Communion together, there is no according to Cardinal Koch, speaking should be made at the expense of major breakthrough in the document. at the document’s press conference. truth. Catholic doctrine sets great Instead it says that this remains an The , he said, does store by a hierarchy of truths with the area of “significant tension”. It does not see the sharing of the sacraments mysteries of the Trinity and salvation point out, though, that the bishop can as “a step on the way,” as some Christian in Christ the source of all doctrine. decide when access to the sacraments communities do. However, he did offer 4 REFLECTIONS hope to those individuals who seek engage with other Christians, says significant liturgical celebrations, the Eucharist at a Catholic Mass in all the Vade Mecum: “The virtue of and participating in ecumenical good faith. charity demands that Catholics avoid organisations’ events. As you know, “For one person, a single person, polemical presentations of Christian the Anglican Centre has long striven there can be an opportunity for history and and, in particular, (in pre-lockdown times) to encourage sharing this grace in different cases” that they avoid misrepresenting the people to come together in its chapel he said, as long as the person meets positions of other Christians. Rather, for joint services and now continues the requirement of , which formators informed by an attitude of to do so online. says a non-Catholic must request the charity will always seek to emphasise Finally, the document urges Eucharist of his or her own accord, the Christian faith that we share with practical ecumenism - “manifest Catholic faith” in the others and to present the theological sacrament and be “properly disposed.” Christians working together to alleviate suffering and to bear witness There is more encouragement in to Christ – ventures which the Centre the Vade Mecum for those in what are has long supported. sometimes called mixed marriages but the document calls “interchurch “The experience of bishops in marriages”. many parts of the world is that “Interchurch marriages should co-operation between Christian not be regarded as problems for communities in service of the poor they are often a privileged place is a driving force in promoting the where the unity of Christians is desire for Christian unity”, it says. built,” says the document. “As disciples of Christ, schooled “However, pastors cannot be by the Scriptures and Christian indifferent to the pain of Christian tradition, we are compelled to act division which is experienced in the to uphold the dignity of the human context of these families, perhaps person and the sacredness of creation, more sharply than in any other context. in the sure hope that God is bringing The pastoral care of interchurch the whole of creation into the fullness families, from the initial preparation of his Kingdom. of the couple for marriage to pastoral Our common service manifests accompaniment as the couple have differences that divide us with before the world, therefore, our children and the children themselves balance and accuracy. In this way the shared faith, and our witness is more prepare for sacraments, should be work of formation helps to remove powerful for being united”. a concern at both the diocesan and obstacles to dialogue”. It also urges “an So, for those committed to the regional level. A special effort should appropriately humble attitude” among ecumenical journey of Catholics be made to engage these families in Catholics to appreciate what God is and Anglicans together, and those the ecumenical activities of and bringing about in other Churches. of other denominations, this Vade diocese”, it goes on. There are three other issues that Mecum, or guidebook, offers notable The Vade Mecum also highlights the document deals with that are of encouragement. We are at a moment the importance of the bishop’s particular interest to the Anglican on the journey when we have not yet role in promoting unity in his Centre and those who support its reached a green light, but nor is this diocese and directing and guiding work. journey halted by a red one. Rather, it ecumenical initiatives. The Ecumenical The first is the particular importance is more on amber – with green not far Directory, first published in 1993, given to ecumenical formation of over the horizon. encouraged bishops to appoint seminarians training for the Catholic a diocesan ecumenical officer priesthood, who should study a course The Bishop and Christian Unity: An and this new document reminds specifically on ecumenism. The Centre Ecumenical Vademecum can be read in bishops of this responsibility, has for many years now helped bring full at: together with the appointment Catholic seminarians together with of an ecumenical commission to Anglican ordinands to learn from • http://www.christianunity.va/ encourage better relationships with one another during their formation content/dam/unitacristiani/ other denominations. There is an about their theology and ecclesiology Documentazione%20generale/2020Va- emphasis on hospitality too, with the (see Anglican seminarians in Rome, demecum/Vademecum-EN.pdf recommendation that ecumenical page 11). guests should be invited to attend Then there is the encouragement major moments in the church calendar.  Catherine Pepinster given to ecumenism being expressed This hospitality also needs to in many ways, not least through joint UK Development Officer, Anglican Centre in Rome be expressed in the way Catholics prayer services, being involved in The Most Reverend Brian Farrell, LC. Secretary of the PCPCU in his 5 homily at the ACR Chapel on January 19, 2021, affirms: “By grace alone, ... we are accepted by G o d .” am grateful for your kind invitation to speak at the Anglican Centre on this second day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme proposed Ifor this second day of the week is “Maturing internally” as the fruit of Christ’s indwelling in us as we abide in him (Jn 15:4). The ecumenical task is a core demand of our faith, not because it is a nice thing to do, but because we and our churches stand convicted before God of sinful division. Today we are witnesses of what the Spirit has wrought, in spite of our deafness and hesitation. Therefore our hearts should be filled with confidence and thankfulness. It is in this spirit that we are gathered to pray together for Christian unity.

The pandemic has shown up our people’s history. His parents find him towards communion around the limits and limits of the social, economic, in the very heart of Jewish religious core belief that Catholics, Lutherans, political structures; that societies use life and worship, “Among the things of Anglicans, Methodists and Reformed to serve their own interests, very often my Father”. It is as if Mary and Joseph profess in common: at a terrible human price for other had forgotten all that they had been “Together we confess: By grace peoples, and poorer countries. But told. They too had to mature in their alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work it is not the Christian way to merely understanding. And Mary matures, and not because of any merit on our decry what is wrong, to lament that grows in her understanding by part, we are accepted by God and there is darkness. The Christian way is treasuring all these things in her heart. receive the Holy Spirit, who renews to find a way out of our weakness and There is the interiority, the spiritual our hearts while equipping and calling sinfulness. The pandemic should teach growth and maturing without which us to good works”.

us to return to what is essential. We there can be no fruit. This is the extraordinary message church people, ecumenists, spend so π that Christians have for the world. much time (and rightly so) on spiritual, But first we must grasp it and live it theological, and ecclesial concerns, ourselves. We must interiorize it, which but this engagement, honest and “By grace alone, means we must treasure it in our committed as it is, is not yet “the heart in faith in Christ’s hearts and mature in this faith. of the matter”. What is the heart of the saving work and not matter? Today’s readings come to our I dream that all of us (Anglican, aid: because of any merit Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and on our part, we are Reformed) will assemble around this Lk 2: The finding of Jesus in the Temple accepted by God. fundamental truth, preach it loudly to the world, and show - with our lives The Temple was the place of Jesus π - “the power of the Gospel to save”. ancestors, of David, and the Prophets. Herein lies the proximate future of our It was the scene of the people’s ecumenical efforts, indeed the future In these years we are marking the struggles and a sign of their ongoing of our churches. May the Spirit bring 500th anniversary of the events that oppression. The narrative marks the to completion what he has begun in gave rise to the Reformation. After beginning of Jesus’ dialogue with his our churches. centuries of conflict we are moving 6 ecumenism

Bringing Voices Together a historical reflection

he occasion of the annual Douglas Brown, Society of Sacred celebration of the Week of Mission (1991-1995) and interim Prayer for Christian Unity, Director Dr. John Shepherd (2019). Tgives me a chance to reflect on my Canon Bruce Ruddock and wife relationship with the Directors of the Vivian made the move from the original Anglican Centre in Rome. I have had site of the Centre to its current one. The the unusual and special privilege of Centre’s library was reorganized and knowing all of the Directors since many activities and joint programmes the beginning of the Centre’s activity were carried out in conjunction with in Rome. It is with pride that I can the Centro Pro Unione. With Canon say that the Centro Pro Unione has Ruddock’s successor named, the the command of Jesus’ prayer that all had a wonderful relationship with directors assumed a more maybe one, as a beautiful reflection the Anglican Centre because of as representative of the Archbishop of of the perfect unity found in the life of my personal contacts with these Canterbury to the Holy See and its more the Trinity that we each share. wonderful men but also because of recent Directors have been bishops. our staffs’ collaboration. To a certain extent this complicated May the prayer for unity not just It would be rather tedious to go the role for the Director who now had end on 25 January but may it continue down the list starting from Canon more pastoral responsibilities with throughout the year in response to John Findlow and his lovely wife Irene regards to the Anglican presence in Jesus’ prayer that “they all may be one... right through to the Centre’s current and was thereby less available so that the world may believe”. Director, Archbishop Ian Ernest. Rather for more academic and institutional I prefer to share some memories of participation.  FR James F. Puglisi, sa experiences which illustrate that we As we move forward, the voices Director, Centro Pro Unione, Rome have been “bringing voices together” that were brought together in difficult for some time. times give witness to the commitment Let me begin by helping to from both of our organizations to complete Wikipedia’s entry on the surmount problems and to support Anglican Centre, since the list of each other – in spite of sometimes directors is missing three of them: internal difficulties. And we always the founding and first Director, Canon keep our eyes fixed on that ultimate John Findlow (1968-1970); Revd goal of full visible communion and ecumenism 7

Praying Together

n a first-ever collaboration, the work together to share God’s grace Methodist Ecumenical Office with the world. Rome, the Centro Pro Unione, and While COVID-19 prevented Ithe Anglican Centre in Rome hosted an participants from physically attending online prayer vigil for unity on Sunday, the prayer vigil held at the Anglican 17 January 2021, the eve of the Week Centre’s Chapel of St. Augustine of of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme Canterbury, friends were able to for this year’s week - “abide in my stream the service through Facebook and you will bear much fruit” from John and YouTube; it remains available 15 - was developed by the community online for later viewing. In addition of Grandchamp who rooted the to the staff at the Anglican Centre, theme and its related materials in the staff at the Methodist Ecumenical the centrality of a communal life of Office Rome and Centro Pro Unione prayer. Drawing upon the importance supported the event’s organizing. of praying together, the directors of The Methodist Ecumenical Office the partnering institutions - the Revd Rome is the official ecumenical centre Matthew A. Laferty from the Methodist of the World Methodist Council in Ecumenical Office Rome, Fr James F. Rome, representing nearly 80 million Puglisi from Centro Pro Unione, and Christians worldwide in the Methodist/ Archbishop Ian Ernest, Director of the Wesleyan tradition. Centro Pro Unione Anglican Centre in Rome, wanted to whose roots began in 1948 was start their observances of this special established as a centre of ecumenical week in the simple but powerful act dialogue by the Franciscan Friars of of prayer, inviting friends in Rome and the Atonement, the same religious around the world to pray with them. order that initiated the Week of Prayer In their meditations during the for Christian Unity in 1908. prayer vigil, the directors noted that May we abide in God’s love as we creation still yearns for the unity it pray and work for the unity of church. once knew in creation, that we are no longer the same when the Holy Spirit links us and our stories together  REVD Matthew Laferty through prayer, that the Holy Spirit Director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome works through prayer to shape our Representative of the World Methodist Council desires towards God and the unity to the Holy See of the Church, and that in prayer we become friends of Jesus who walk and The vigil of prayer is now available on YouTube https://youtu.be/oVWz7-piG18 8 new lamps lit, new tasks begun

e would like to express our heartfelt thanks to His Grace Archbishop Ian Ernest, Mrs Kamla Ernest and the staff of the Anglican Centre in Rome for their warm welcome to the students of the Ut WUnum Sint Diploma on January 23, 2021. All agreed that our meeting was momentous! The meeting was a profound example of the “culture of encounter” of which has spoken and by which our commitment to full visible unity is renewed. By such meetings, particularly in the context of prayer which was provided by the Archbishop, we rediscover sisters and brothers in Christ. It is our hope that the relationship between the Anglican Centre and the Institute for Ecumenical Studies will grow stronger, finding new ways for joint collaboration for promoting Christian Unity.

 Prof. Hyacinthe DESTIVELLE

 Prof. Juan USMA GOMEZ Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity OfficialS

An Ecumenism of Action His Grace, The Most Reverend ,

One of the great gifts of the Ecumenical Movement is that it has allowed Christians from different denominations to get to know one another. There were times before the 1960’s when people of one denomination might never have entered the church building of another. Then something changed. Christians found common cause in all sorts of forums. political life, spirituality and prayer, community services, education. Important examples of this cross-denominational work are the Civil Rights Movement in the USA, the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. New religious communities sprang up with an ecumenical charism such as Taizé or Focolare.” (addressing the World Council of Churches) A meditation on the Theme “Abide in my love …” 9

drawing close to God by reading the scriptures and receiving ince 1968 the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the sacraments, and particularly by abiding in the love of Christian Unity has collaborated with the Faith and Jesus, spending time with him in personal prayer. They, too, Order Commission of the World Council of Churches draw life from the one vine. If we are also abiding in his love, Sto produce the materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian and are faithful to prayer then we are not only drawing close Unity. Usually the process begins more than two years in to God, but we are drawing into a closer communion with our advance of the actual week. And so it was in 2018 that the brothers and sisters in Christ. Indeed we cannot come closer WCC invited the sisters of the community of Grandchamp, to God without simultaneously coming closer to his many Neuchatel in , to prepare the materials for 2021. sons and daughters: if our prayer life is genuine we will grow Grandchamp is an ecumenical community established by in love for all those who are faithfully trying to follow Jesus, Reformed Swiss women in the first half of the twentieth- no matter what Christian communion they belong to. So the century. They had strong links with the French Catholic second unity, Christian unity, is the necessary consequence , Fr Paul Couturier, who was a pioneer of the Week of of personal spiritual growth because we cannot deepen our Prayer, and with the founders of the Taizé community. relationship with Christ without deepening our communion The theme the sisters chose was that of the vine, and with other baptised Christians. Jesus’ invitation to “abide in my love” (Jn 15: 9) drawing life The third unity is unity with God’s creation and all peoples. from him as a branch draws life from the vine. What does When we abide in the love of Jesus his love teaches us and it mean to abide in Jesus? And how will it change us? The forms us. We learn to love the things which Jesus , and sisters of Grandchamp suggest that if we abide in Jesus we to love as Jesus loves: “love one another as I have loved you” will become whole and united in three distinct ways. (Jn 15: 12). Abiding in the love of Jesus teaches us to love Abiding in Jesus is, first and foremost, an interior journey. the Father, to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, to love The world we live in is filled with a cacophony of noise and all people and to love the whole of God’s creation. In the distractions, which tempt us to live in a superficial way. The past, loving God’s creation often meant simply recognising spiritual wisdom which the founders of the Grandchamp the beauty and the wonder of the world that God has made. discovered and to which the sisters of the community hold Today we have learnt that our love for the world needs to fast, is the need to follow the example of Jesus who came be more committed and active. It means refusing to exploit away to a lonely place to pray. This personal prayer, being the world and its resources for selfish gain. It means making alone with Jesus, is the essence of abiding with him. Meeting choices in the way that we live, the things that we consume, him in that space of personal prayer we can tell Jesus the how much we travel and by what means. An active love of things that are on our hearts, our fears and our hopes, our all God’s people means recognising how much we share hurt and our joy. Staying centred with Jesus in prayer we will with others, that we want the same things for ourselves and experience his love for us. This is what it means to draw life our families and that we have the same fears and the same from him like a branch drawing life from the sap of the vine. dreams. Selfishness, the rejection of others in need, building When we receive the love of Jesus we are given the strength walls of division, is always a failure of imagination, a failure to grow and to face the challenges of life, and to produce to imagine how it is to be in the other person’s shoes. But fruits of goodness and love. abiding in God’s love brings us to a new recognition of our Jesus says that the vinedresser prunes the vine to make communion and unity with all God’s people and the whole it grow more. When we spend time with Jesus in prayer this of God’s creation. is what happens to us: we are pruned. As we spend more The sisters of Grandchamp chose the theme for this Week time in prayer we become more centred and we learn to of Prayer long before the COVID-19 pandemic changed our let go of the superficial things and the distractions in our lives. But providentially the materials they have provided life. The first unity which comes from abiding in the love of are perfectly suited to our current situation. We may feel Jesus is personal wholeness that is the work of God’s grace. that with the restrictions of lockdown we cannot do much We become more integrated human beings, at peace with to grow closer to our brothers and sisters. The sisters of ourselves, because we know we are loved by God. Grandchamp have shown us that the path to Christian unity The second unity is unity with other Christians. The sisters begins in drawing closer to Jesus in personal prayer. This of Grandchamp draw on the writing of a sixth century Church is something we can begin now even in our own homes. father, Dorotheus of Gaza. Dorotheus invites us to imagine And we can know that by abiding in the love of Jesus we God as the centre of a circle and Christians from different are entering into deeper communion with our brothers and traditions drawing towards this centre: “to the extent that sisters in Christ who also abide in his love and who draw life they penetrate its interior, they draw closer to each other; and from the same vine. the closer they draw to each other, the closer they come to God”. Many Christians from different Christian traditions are  Revd Anthony Currer responsible for the Vatican’s relations with the worldwide Anglican and Methodist Communions at the PCPCU 10

Working together to put the last first

any say this was a different foreign woman said: “I volunteers joined the Community of Christmas because of the spent the night praying Sant’Egidio’s efforts. They were tired of pandemic. We couldn’t and blessing those who a meaningless Christmas. Instead they haveM big family tables but in the came to visit me. How discovered a Rome they did not know: Community of Sant’Egidio we didn’t valuable is the visit when a hidden Rome. Some cooked meals give up the idea of celebrating you have no contact for the homeless. Others went to visit it with everyone in need. The with anyone!” them in shanty towns, railway stations, Christmas celebration was Jesus is born prisons, right under the bridges of the transformed with creativity. outside the city: Tiber River. We could not have the he has no place The meaning of Bethlehem is usual banquet for the poor in the houses the “city of bread”. Together with the in the churches but it was a of Bethlehem. Anglican Centre, we at Sant’Egidio Christmas of meeting and Christmas is can revive Bethlehem, the city, where visiting, looking for poor or truly a sign of bread is distributed to everyone. marginalised people in the contradiction most distant and hidden because there is  MOnica Attias places. no place for many Community of Sant’Egidio: A Christmas for even today in our expert in Anti-Trafficking and Ecumenism everyone is when the cities and in the celebration, the friendship, world. Some may reaches those who are not think: what can reached by anyone, going out I do? It does not on the street, meeting those in concern me. I already need. have so many worries. We distance On December 22 and 31, 2020 ourselves, human distances far more special Christmas and New Year’s serious than the social distancing we Eve distributions took place in many are forced to by the pandemic… poor areas of Rome. All over Rome The Gospel of Christmas brings us parcels were distributed and, with the back to reality. It makes us look at the collaboration of The Anglican Centre, sufferings that many do not want to 500 were delivered in Torrenova, one see and that they consider nothing to of the large housing estates of the do with their lives. In Rome alone, there peripheral eastern part of the capital, are more than 8,000 homeless people; to families in need and homeless and at least 3,000 have nowhere to people, Italians, Roma people and sleep in the winter. The pandemic migrants. They contained dry food, has led many people who previously traditional panettone cake and depended on work for their livelihood personalized presents with their into . names on the labels. With the message of Christmas We stopped to talk with the being contrary to society’s normal poor, some told us their stories, their rules – it puts the poor at the centre, Abp Ian on behalf of the ACR offering a gift to Dr difficulties, they thanked us. An elderly the humble in first place – many new Monica Attias for families in need & homeless ANGLICAN SEMINARIANS IN ROME 11

uring October 2020, I was enjoying a presentation about the of tourists due to COVID-19), yet this grateful to be given the missional focus of the Church; sharing small corner seemed in a quiet way opportunity to spend fellowship and discussing various to be full of life, hope and vitality: a Dsix weeks with my colleague Phil hopes and dreams for the Church of sacred space. A space to be. A space Macaulay in Rome, residing at the England, specifically the way that we to feel known. A place to share and Beda Pontifical College in a placement can garner ever fruitful ecumenical dream openly. facilitated by Canon Philip Gillespie relations with our brothers and I am personally thankful to (), Keith Beech-Gruneberg sisters from differing traditions and Archbishop Ian and Kamla for (Initial Ministerial Education Pathways with those of other faith traditions, extending a warm welcome to me. Adviser, Church House) and Revd Dr and exploring how to be ever more The kindness and openness even Paul Regan (Cramner Hall). The focus of intentional at encouraging those from amidst the current challenges that we our time was to engage in ecumenical within the Anglican Communion. are all facing was a highlight of 2020 dialogue with Catholic brethren who From the brief time spent with for me. The experience will remain are attending the Beda seminary. It Archbishop Ian and his wife Kamla, with me as I enter full time ordained gave us a chance to discuss a range I was struck by the hospitality and ministry in the – of topics, challenges and points of sense of sanctuary that was offered at God willing, this coming summer. I similarity that exist across our two the Anglican Centre. The community feel privileged to now be numbered families. there offered a safe space in the heart amongst those that are called friends It was my privilege during this of the hustle and bustle of the city to of The Anglican Centre in Rome. It time to receive a warm invitation from purposefully explore the nature and has been my on-going privilege to Archbishop Ian Ernest to the Anglican heart of Christ. The experience of join virtually for Tuesday communion Centre in Rome. Our time spent Rome was full and somewhat unusual and my intention is to return as soon included: gathering for communion (with the absence of the famed mass as restrictions permit and to pick up and prayer together; where we left off.

 Daniel Harris (left)

he Beda College, far in bringing doctrine and named after the liturgy together. One of my Venerable own immediate impressions Twho now rests in Durham of Catholic Mass was its Cathedral, was formed similarity in form and words to provide a seminary for to the Holy Communion English-speaking men services of the Church of coming to priesthood England. This liturgical later in life. I went with the mostly a mutually warm acceptance alignment provides the aspiration to learn, to try to see behind of our belonging and authenticity skeleton of a framework that the flesh the scenes a little as to what the of faith, even if there was cheeky of personal relationships can be built Roman Catholic church is like today, encouragement from students for upon. us to jump the fence to their side! especially after learning so much Visiting the Anglican Centre in On my part, I found studies of the from Church history. I also hoped Rome enables Anglican interns like Second Vatican Council fascinating that the Lord would enable Daniel myself to find some encouragement in learning about the diversity within and me to be good representatives and more generous hospitality Catholicism, and was impressed by of the Church of England, so that during our experience in Rome. It also the strong emphasis on spiritual we and our Catholic fellows would showed us the seriousness with which formation and human development be well-equipped for ecumenical the Anglican Communion considers in the curriculum. While we could not friendships and co-operation in the its fellowship with Rome. The Centre receive Holy Communion at mass, future. Of course, it was wonderful to is also home for Archbishop Ian and we were welcomed fully around the spend October in the city of Rome, and Kamla, and this is key in giving it a dining tables. In the informality of life while the opportunities for exploring domestic feel in comfort, safety and there I found my own Christian identity and worship were a little covid-limited, welcome. They are the right people in and priestly vocation recognised, even they were still glorious. the right place to enable friendships if denominational rules prevented us We were welcomed with amazing to form and unity to be blessed. As sharing the Lord’s meal together. generosity, respect, and interest by the world looks to recover from Covid the Beda community which was full As a part of this experience I have 19, I pray for the Centre to play its role of warmth, affirmation and love. picked up a little of the hard work in helping God’s church to love itself Some students were confused about that has been going on in big-picture across denominations, inspiring all the Church of England’s position on Anglican and Roman Catholic relations, humanity. theology of priesthood, its canonical specifically the ARCIC projects. It law expectations, and of course is wonderful to live and worship in  Phil Macaulay (right) monarchical headship. Yet there was churches that have already come so 12 Hospitality & Encounters

December 2020 ACR Director visiting Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot MCCJ, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

Visiting Cardinal Marc Ouellet PSS, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops With Abbot Gregory Polan OSB, Abbey of Sant’Anselmo

Welcoming E. Catherine, daughter of Rev Dr Daniel & Mrs Grace Morris-Chapman

Ecumenical Choir singing carols at the ACR Hospitality & Encounters 13

JANUARY 2021 • WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Welcoming our Guest Preacher, Bishop Brian Farrell, LC. Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity

With Fr Stefano Del Bove, SJ. & some staff members of theG regoriana University

Anglican clergy & spouses attending Vespers, Basilica of St Paul Outside The Walls, Rome

Meeting Cardinal , president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity & Padre S. Lombardi

December 2020 Safeguarding Training for Giorgio Biondi, ACR Staff by Mrs Caireen Assitecno IT Consultant Stuart, ACR Officer for connecting the ACR to safeguarding fibre broadband 14 EDUCATION

Saint John Henry Newman: a bridge between Catholics and Anglicans n October 13, 2019, thousands π A note of realism was also brought of people gathered at St into the discussion by the Rt Revd Peter’s, in Rome, for the Canon Dr Jeremy Morris, Master of Ocanonization of John Henry Newman, Trinity Hall, , and a noted the poet, theologian and philosopher “Newman’s church historian, who issued a health who once scandalized Victorian Britain enthusiasm for the warning, “particularly in the rosy by leaving the Church of England for afterglow of the canonization”. We can Roman Catholicism. How different ancient church points pretend, said Dr Morris, but there is no the day he became a saint! Among to ways to refind our “inner Anglican Newman who can be those who attended the canonization precious unity. ” turned to Anglican ends”. Mass, celebrated by Pope Francis, “This simply isn’t the case. When were not only senior Roman Catholic rumours were circulating in 1862 churchmen and many pilgrims from π about his possible return to the Church around the globe, but also six bishops of England he published a strongly of the Church of England and the worded denial: ‘Protestantism is the Director of the Anglican Centre, as dreariest of religions. The thought of corporate reunion between the well as the Prince of Wales, heir to the the Anglican service makes me shiver Anglican Communion and the Catholic British throne, and due to be the next and the thought of the 39 articles Church. Nevertheless, as Dr Hawkey Supreme Governor of the Church of makes me shudder. A return to the commented: “Theological dialogue England. Newman, the man who was Church of England? No: the net is between our Communions continues once out in the cold as far as Anglicans broken and we are delivered’.” with confidence and humility”. were concerned, had now brought And yet it was obvious as Dr Newman, he said, has a great deal together the two churches that he Morris and the two other speakers at to teach us through his insights and had loved at different times. He had the seminar – Dr Daniel Pratt-Morris bridged the divide. methods of study. So was Newman just for that moment a means to reconciliation, or does he offer more to those committed to ecumenism? That was the topic explored in the Anglican Centre’s Zoom webinar, St John Henry Newman: a bridge between two traditions, held on December 7, 2020. Unity between Anglicans and Roman Catholics may well be more complicated that Newman might have considered it to be, as the webinar’s moderator, the Revd Dr Jamie Hawkey, pointed out, given that the of Pope Benedict XVI, Anglicanorum Coetibus erected personal ordinariates for groups of Anglican Christians in 2009 and this overtook for some the issue of wider 15

Chapman and Professor Roderick wrote and published tracts on the Oxford, with a band of followers, and Strange – presented their views on future of the Church of England, from there he published a retaraction Newman that he offers a great deal to that led them to be known as the of all the harsh things he had once said ecumenists. And given Newman’s long Tractarians, and increasingly gathered about Catholicism. life and how prolific a writer he was, more people to support what became It was two years later that he was there was much evidence to sift and known as the Oxford Movement, received into the Roman Catholic much to discuss. though others found Newman’s Church. Professor Roderick Strange, Born in 1801, Newman became thinking highly controversial. former rector of the Beda seminary an evangelical Christian in his last It was during this time that Newman in Rome, now teaching at St Mary’s years at Great Ealing School, under became increasingly convinced that University, Twickenham, and editor of the tutelage of Walter Mayers. Dr Pratt Christians’ reading of the Bible needed Newman’s letters, evocatively spoke Morris-Chapman, until recently the context within an historical and of “that rainy windswept night on 8 Director of the Methodist Office in apostolic context. He wanted, said Dr October when the Italian Passionist Fr Rome, whose doctorate focused on Pratt Morris-Chapman, to re-establish Dominic Barbieri arrived at Littlemore, Newman, pointed out that Mayers the Church of England “on the rock of hearing Newman’s confession, introduced Newman to writers in the undivided church of antiquity”. and continued the next day when Calvinist tradition and to the works of “Newman put all his energies into he received him into the Roman the Anglican Thomas Scott, founder of filling the Church of England with communion”. the Church Missionary Society, whose the new wine - the wine of antiquity But this was not a case for Newman emphasis was on pursuing truth which over the years had matured to of happy ever after. He went to Rome wherever it may be found. “This stuck a beautiful taste”, he said. “He tried to in 1846 to be ordained a priest. It in Newman’s mind so much that he saturate the Church of England with was certainly a difficult time to cross writes about it in his Apologia”, noted the wine of the canonical decisions of the Tiber. Anti-Catholic feeling was Dr Pratt-Morris Chapman. “Wherever it antiquity to bursting point”. running high in England, especially led, whatever it cost, Newman pursued But this proved difficult for after the restoration of the Catholic the truth. He pursued the truth if it a church that was so connected hierarchy in 1850. The Prime Minister, involved personal shame, if it involved to the Establishment. Yet as Dr John Russell, denounced the “attempt demotion or if it involved extreme Pratt-Morris Chapman, pointed out, to impose a foreign yoke upon our personal cost… I put it to you this is Newman’s enthusiasm for the ancient minds and consciences”. Catholic the reason he is now a saint.” church points to ways in which the were pelted in the streets and From Great Ealing School, Newman denominations can be more united, if Catholic churches were attacked. went up to Trinity College, Oxford, they were all to reaffirm the undivided While Newman made efforts to where he read widely and expanded canonical decisions of the first 10 put the case for Catholicism through his theological horizons. Despite a centuries of Christianity. “It would be public lectures, the small Catholic breakdown that led to him doing a way to refind our precious organic community in England did not badly in his exams, he was later unity”. know what to do with him, Professor offered a fellowship at Oriel, then the While Newman today is honoured Strange said. They sent him to Dublin most prestigious college. By 1825 he by Anglicans – something highlighted to found a university, to oversee a had been ordained an Anglican priest, by guests from the Church of England new translation of the Bible, to edit a and his life in Oxford brought him at his canonization and the participants journal called The Rambler, and once into contact with the leading church at this Anglican Centre webinar – Catholics were admitted to Oxford intellectuals of the day including the situation was very different in in 1860, he went there to found an Edward Pusey, Richard Hurrell Froude Victorian England. By 1842 Newman . As Professor Strange pointed and John Keble. With Newman, they had retreated to Littlemore, near out, becoming a Catholic was a very 16

difficult experience for Newman. After One of the most significant But it was in Newman’s own 18 years as a Catholic he wrote: ‘How challenges to Anglican ideas of personal relationships that perhaps forlorn and dreary has been my course ecumenism is Newman’s growing the greatest encouragement for since I have been a Catholic. As a conviction that catholicity was most ecumenists is to be found. When he Protestant I felt my religion dreary, not evident in the Church most widely became a Catholic in 1845 he lost my life, but as a Catholic, my life dreary spread throughout the world and the many friends, with the exception of and not my religion’. one that had maintained consistency Pusey, with whom he maintained For Newman, though, said with early formulations of faith while contact. Then, when he wrote his Professor Strange, becoming a Catholic developing them to a degree – the Apologia, Anglicans noted his warm was but one of several conversions for Roman Catholic Church. However, comments about them. Friendships, Newman. Three illnesses he endured Newman was not slavishly devoted including with Keble, were restored. in 1816, 1827 and 1833 were moments to the Catholic Church. As Dr Morris “The friendships that were restored of conversion for him too, in which he pointed out, Newman was critical grew stronger and deeper”, recalled discovered first, a conviction of God’s of its over-centralized ultramontane Professor Strange. “One of the key existence, then a desire to become a ecclesial authority of his time. He was features for effective ecumenism holy person and finally that there was also keen to see the role of the laity when we are struggling with certain work to do in the service of the Lord. recognized in the life of the Church issues and are demoralized – the most All were part of the path to his final and as a witness to revealed doctrine. important thing is to be strong in conversion to becoming a Catholic – However, Dr Morris could see friendship and to build and strengthen what Newman called coming into port ways in which Newman could help the trust between us. In this way real after a rough sea. bring Christians closer together: his ecumenical progress can be made. The Continuing the maritime enabling us to see a vision of a more way that Newman and his friendships analogies, Dr Jeremy Morris reminded complex, balanced and integrated were maintained can be a real the audience that in his Apologia, view of authority as a model for the inspiration for us”. Newman had indicated that the reunification of the great Christian Church of England was a serviceable traditions of the world and his ideas breakwater against doctrinal errors of church as an educative community  Catherine Pepinster more fundamental than its own. But, involving growth and change, and UK Development Officer, Anglican Centre in Rome said Dr Morris, “we can’t get round the a place where doctrines, creeds and uncomfortable fact that Newman’s treatises are learned, explored and view of Anglicanism was a bleak one. cultivated. “This implies a dynamic That does set certain limits to our catholicity in which all Christians must understanding of what he signifies for participate as part of the very texture Anglicans ecumenically”. of a life in faith lived towards the unity of all Christian people,” said Dr Morris.

In memoriam Rev Monsignor Mark Langham Monsignor Mark Langham, who Catholic International Commission died on January 15, was an official of (2008-12) he worked on the production the Pontifical Council for Promoting of its ninth report, Encountering Christ Christian Unity (PCPU) from 2008–13, the Saviour: Church and Sacraments responsible for relations with (2011). Anglicans and Methodists, and also for A talented musician, artist, linguist the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. and writer, Monsignor Langham Monsignor Langham was born shared his many gifts with colleagues in and studied Classics at at the Pontifical Council. During of Cambridge University in 2013 he Cambridge (1979-83). During his his time in Rome he completed a continued to give his considerable five years in the office he was deeply doctorate at the Gregorian University learning and abilities to ecumenical involved in efforts to enable the for which he was awarded the work, and last year contributed to an establishment of the third phase of the Bellarmino Prize and which was later Anglican Centre, Rome, webinar on Anglican-Roman Catholic International published as The Caroline Divines and the work of ARCIC III. Commission (ARCIC), which he served the Church of Rome: A Contribution to From the PCPCU News, 15.01.2021 as Co-Secretary (2011-13). As Co– Current Ecumenical Dialogue (2019). Secretary to the Methodist–Roman After being appointed as chaplain EDUCATION 17 Photo credits: Vatican M edia Vatican credits: Photo

Pope Francis signs his new , , on the before the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi on Ocober 3, 2020.

n the first anniversary of Archbishop Ian Ernest and Fifth Crusade, is recalled as an archetype of dialogue and his wife Kamla arriving in Rome, where he took up social friendship, forged in listening and learning across his appointment as Director of the Anglican Centre, different traditions, without hostility and division. Owe visited them to bring greetings from the Ripon Support This Zoom seminar reminded colleagues of the Jewish Group. We heard how they were carrying out their ministry scripture, “The lion shall lie down with the lamb and the child through the virus pandemic. Together we arranged a Zoom shall play on the hole of the asp” (Isaiah 11:6) and of how video seminar for Archbishop Ian to address the theme of through periods of global crisis, fraternity can affect how we fraternity. It was to be a joint project with Anglican Centre look ahead through the pain, retaining our humanity. friends, Franciscans and Christians Aware, a UK international Like the Church Father, Athanasius, who argued “He educational charity. became what we are that we might become what he is”, The inspiration for the seminar was Pope Francis’ latest Pope Francis touches on how the New Creation is achieved, encyclical Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers and Sisters), in which breaking through within our situation in today’s world. the Pope takes up the theme of fraternity from St Francis of Archbishop Ian, in highlighting the interfaith implications Assisi’s Admonitions. that can be drawn from Pope Francis third encyclical, gives Archbishop Ian, who comes from Mauritius, a multi-faith full regard to the physical context, in Europe, the UK and country, tells us that the message of Fratelli Tutti is for all, in his own Mauritius. He invites us to recognise the divine regardless of faith or cultural backgrounds. The encyclical nature, which is not just for ourselves, but one we may carry embraces the theme of solidarity in building friendship and to others and others may carry to us. the importance of fraternity in developing working mutually across differences in world faiths and values. • The seminar, held on 25 November, is now on YouTube https:// The 28 Admonitions of St Francis, which the saint wrote be/zYpKvHMP7ro throughout his ministry, advocate us embracing one • wwcontent/francesco/en//documents/papa- another with the eyes of the Spirit and practising humility francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html by listening to others. They urge us to expect no more from

friends and neighbours than we offer ourselves and to be  Revd John BennetT calm and patient when faced with discomfort and trial. For Regional Representative, Ripon Support Group for the Anglican Centre Rome. Pope Francis, it is experiences of community life that assist reflection and help deal with self-centredness. Both practical action and the re-assessment of our values are discussed in the encyclical and highlighted by Archbishop Ian. We are reminded that Pope Francis visited the Grand Imam in Abu Dhabi where, in friendship together, they encouraged collaborative working across their faith traditions, opening doors for mutual assistance. This is the way forward for transcending barriers and building life together in friendship, cooperation and compassion. The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates for Pope Francis the service that has no limits while the visit of his Some of the Regional Rep team in Knaresborough near Ripon, Yorkshire namesake, St Francis of Assisi, to Sultan Malik-el-Kamil in the 18 A martyr of the middle ages … … and a saint for our time St Thomas Becket 800th Anniversary “On Tuesday, 29th December 1170, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was murdered in his Cathedral church during Vespers by four armed knights who believed they were acting for King Henry II. It was an event witnessed by horrified monks and citizens of Canterbury and accounts of what happened were written down by eye witnesses later.

ecket’s martyrdom shocked was the site of the penitence of a all Christendom and just over remorseful King Henry, who caused two years after his death he himself to be ritually beaten by monks Bwas canonised on 21 February 1173 as he knelt there. by Pope Alexander III in St. Peter’s The consecration of the new church in Segni. Becket’s shrine in the shrine in 1220 was an occasion for eastern crypt of the Cathedral became the gathering of important figures a focus of pilgrimage for thousands of Church and State from all over almost immediately. Then, 50 years Europe to be involved in a magnificent after the martyrdom, a new shrine, act of worship celebrating both containing the body of St. Thomas of the martyrdom of St. Thomas of Canterbury, was consecrated in the Canterbury and the blessings received area above the crypt which had been by pilgrims making the journey to the completely rebuilt as a fitting chapel shrine. Then, 2020 was to have been a to hold the shrine and allow access to year of ecumenical commemoration the burgeoning numbers of pilgrims. of those two events, the martyrdom The ambulatory around the shrine 850 years ago and the consecration was adorned with stained glass of the of the new shrine 800 years ago. We highest quality and shows pictures had planned many acts of worship, of miracles of healing experienced scholarly symposia, exhibitions of by local, national and international artefacts connected with St. Thomas pilgrims at the shrine. A fire in 1174 had and pilgrimages of groups from many occasioned the rebuilding of much of different denominations across the Photo : Photo the cathedral above ’s crypt, world. One of the last visits made in which survived unharmed. The chapel that planning following meetings Becket’s Murder, Chapter House Window of Our Lady Undercroft in the western through the Anglican Centre in Rome, Becket’s Evensong Martyrdom, Canterbury crypt, where the terrified monks had with representatives there helping carried the body of their archbishop, to organise ecumenical events, was Cathedral on December 29, 2019 Photo : Canterbury Cathedral Photo … and a saint for our time 19 to Segni itself where there was warm were able to reach out in celebration enthusiasm from that community virtually. Nevertheless, as soon as we for the various celebrations ahead are able, and hopefully that may be of us. So much of what was possible in the summer, autumn and winter in the planning was only made of 202, we hope to accomplish some possible by the hard work of Fr. Robert of what we had intended in 2020. McCulloch and the Ambassador to The act of Christians suffering for the Holy See, Sally Axworthy, but their faith even to the giving up of especially the team of the Anglican their life is a present reality, and the Centre, Canterbury’s home in Rome. encouragement given to our faith not Special thanks are due particularly only by St. Thomas of Canterbury but to Archbishop Ian, to Kamla and to by martyrs in every part of the word the Centre’s administrator, Nicoletta and in every century are experiences Ramballi, for their constant help and which give perspective to our prayers support for Canterbury. Of course for each other and for the unity of none of these events where people Christ’s church. travelled and gathered together We have learnt many new lessons were to prove possible, due to the in 2020 but chief amongst them worldwide coronavirus pandemic. is how another person’s faith and While the most often asked courage can inspire and encourage question from the millions of visitors, us in ways for which we want to give school parties, and tourists coming thanks. We have begun this year to to Canterbury is still “Where was accomplish this virtually and break Becket murdered?,” at the same time down barriers to give each other those who are pilgrims arrive at the creative encouragement right across site of the shrine and ask to be set the world. We long for the time when off from there on one of the pilgrim we can celebrate together physically routes across Europe – to Rome or to again and when the story of 2020 Santiago de Compostela, year by year. will be a memory that we look back So the celebrations planned were not on, but we shall do so with a sense

thought of as commemorations of of lessons learned and new ways : Canterbury Cathedral Photo past events but more events linked to embraced, which will have enriched continuing spiritual adventures being our pilgrimage and strengthened our undertaken. faith”. Although we were not able to Becket’s Evensong Martyrdom, Canterbury welcome the many who would have  The Very Revd Dr Cathedral on December 29, 2019 travelled here in the last 12 months, we An ecumenical covenant: 29 December is the feast of St I have forwarded the Dean of Thomas Becket and in 2020, the Canterbury’s greetings to the mayors 850th anniversary of his martyrdom. I of Segni and Anagni and the Bishop have been a pilgrim to Canterbury in of Anagni. Becket was canonized in these days for the past seven years to Segni just over 800 years ago on July participate in the Anglican and Roman 7, 1220. The lord of Segni was the Catholic celebrations as the official father of St after representative from Rome. whom he was named. The major relic of Becket’s blood The relic of St Thomas Becket stained vestment is kept in the now in the chapel of the Anglican Basilica of in Centre used to be in the chapel at Rome where developing connections St Columban’s Essendon. In 2017, between Canterbury and S. Maria I arranged for it to be gifted to the Maggiore has enabled an ecumenical Anglican Centre and to be replaced covenant to be entered into between in Essendon by a relic of St Columban. these two great places of worship.  Fr Robert McCulloch Relic of St Thomas Becket at the Anglican Centre Procurator General for St Columbans in Rome Mission Society in Rome 20 We hope all our supporters and Friends will enjoy the , content and regular appearance of those newsletters. We are trying at present, subject of course to data controls, to make sure as many as possible of the existing readers of Centro receive the new - style publication, and we are aware that for a number of people there may be difficulties with online access and we would not wish them to feel in any way left out. Therefore a limited number of copies will be printed off and posted via the Vatican post office for those who need to receive them by this means.

So please enjoy what we are now offering . . . thank you for your support and we would of course welcome your reactions, ideas and suggestions. Above all, we he circumstances of recent months have obliged want the circulation of our new Centro to keep growing the Centre, like many other organisations, to and growing. On behalf of all the Governors whether enhance and emphasise its online offering. This, based in the UK, the US, South Africa, Australia, China Tit has done with great commitment and good effect - or my own country of Ireland, we acknowledge your witness the series of theological webinars offered in the generous and prayerful interest in the work of the course of 2020 and the level of participation. Nothing, Anglican Centre in Rome and hope that as 2021 unfolds of course, can rival an actual visit to the Centre and the we may begin to see again a measure of travel in the experience of its hospitality ... but it may be a little time direction of the Eternal City, a cheering vision of a post yet before we can re-focus on that side of our work. -pandemic world and some degree of return to what, for want of a better word, we term ‘normality’. Meanwhile, as a strategic development, the Governors have encouraged a move to online communications Of course, it is the ultimate business of the ACR to with our supporters and Friends internationally. It is remind people that ‘normality’ can also be a very hoped that there will be a regular quarterly newsletter, unfortunate and even insidious word. We tend to accept full of up to date information and varied articles, taking divisions in the as ‘normal’, we become over the title Centro from the printed magazine which content with letting our ecumenical zeal diminish, we used to produce up to this point. This is a moment we cease to be shocked by the veritable scandal of to recognise the quality of that publication over the unnecessary disunity. As I write just ahead of another years and to thank in particular Catherine Pepinster Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity, I give thanks for the who has been responsible for its production in recent courageous work of the ACR in capsizing popular views times. We are very fortunate that she will continue to of what is ‘normal’, and for never allowing us to lose our offer skilled editorial assistance in the production of vision of the true goal and purpose of being fully One our online material, and will also contribute a regular in Christ. Recent months have been turbulent indeed column in which we will continue to reap the harvest in so many ways and we long for a less disrupted life, of her rich journalistic experience. Our online Centro but our longing for stability should never diminish our will also owe much to the design skills of Mrs Kamla zeal in praying ancient liturgical words - ‘Give us grace Ernest, skills gladly and generously offered, and of seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by course our Director Archbishop Ian will have oversight our unhappy divisions’. of the content of these Rome-based accounts of our news and our projects. It is also envisaged that there And to these words we say ‘Amen’, and like Simeon and will be some material in French, Italian (and possibly Anna at Candlemas ‘plod onward in faith’ with great other languages), recognising their location of the confidence that our our longings and labours at ACR Centre and the great variety of nationalities involved in will surely one day be vindicated. supporting its work. Happy Reading ; a Blessed 2021 to you all Rt. Revd. Michael Burrows Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory Chair, ACR Board of Governors

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