By R. William Franklin Bishop Charles Henry Brent was a prophetic leader of the Episcopal Church in the early 20th century. What does his vision of Christian unity contribute to our post-pandemic Episcopal Church? Brent was elected the first missionary bishop to the Philippines in 1901, and his influence was such that the new Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the … [Read more...] about Brent, and a Post-Pandemic Vision for Christian Unity
ecumenism
Presiding Bishop Calls for Prayer and Fasting for America
By Egan Millard Episcopal News Service Read Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s 2020 Lenten message and you may notice something different from previous years. For one thing, the tone is noticeably solemn, with phrases like “profound division,” “genuine crisis of national character” and “great national concern and urgency.” But there’s also an invitation from Curry to … [Read more...] about Presiding Bishop Calls for Prayer and Fasting for America
Prelates Endorse WCC ‘Arusha Call’
By Kirk Petersen The four North American heads of the Episcopal/Anglican and Lutheran churches have issued a joint statement endorsing the "Arusha Call," named for the city in Tanzania where the 319 member churches of the World Council of Churches met last year to explore ways of strengthening mission and evangelism in a troubled world. "The Call provides a common … [Read more...] about Prelates Endorse WCC ‘Arusha Call’
Will Sex Affect Episcopal-Methodist Communion?
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Nearly a century of ecumenical dialogue between Episcopalians and Methodists is approaching a crossroad. In May, United Methodist bishops cleared the way for a 2020 General Conference vote on a full communion agreement that would allow the two churches to share clergy. If the Methodists approve the proposal, the Episcopal Church could take it up at … [Read more...] about Will Sex Affect Episcopal-Methodist Communion?
Abp. Ernest Called to Rome
The Bishop of Mauritius, the Most Rev. Ian Ernest, will become director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative to the Holy See, toward the end of the year. Abp. Ernest served as primate of the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean for 11 years until 2017. One of his last duties as Bishop of Mauritius will be to welcome Pope … [Read more...] about Abp. Ernest Called to Rome
‘The Next Faithful Step’
In a statement released May 2, the Episcopal Church-United Methodist Dialogue Committee laments Methodists’ adoption of the Traditional Plan during General Conference but also commends “the next faithful step” toward a full-communion resolution. The statement follows: The members of the Episcopal Church-United Methodist Dialogue Committee met together April 29-30 at First … [Read more...] about ‘The Next Faithful Step’
The Thorough Authority of Paul Avis
The Oxford Handbook of Ecclesiology Edited by Paul Avis Oxford University Press. Pp. 672. $125 Review by Richard J. Mammana Ecclesiology is the study of “the Church’s manifold self-understanding in relation to a number of areas: the origins, structures, authority, doctrine, ministry, sacraments, unity, diversity, and mission of the Church, including its relation to … [Read more...] about The Thorough Authority of Paul Avis
Committed to Print
The Procession and Work of the Holy Spirit was released in book form in time for the annual meeting of the Anglican Oriental-Orthodox International Commission. The statement was signed in October 2017 after lengthy discussions by commission members. It is part of the efforts to heal a centuries-old continuing division within Christianity. At the core of the agreed … [Read more...] about Committed to Print