Anglican Archbishop welcomes members of Catholic ecumenical community
(Vatican Radio) A prayer service took place on Thursday morning at London’s Lambeth
Palace, the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to officially welcome four
members of the Catholic ecumenical community Chemin Neuf.
An Anglican married
couple, a Catholic sister and a Lutheran man training for ministry will form part
of the resident Lambeth community to “share in the daily round of prayer” and to “further
the ecumenical and international dimensions” of the Anglican leader’s ministry. The
move was described by England’s Cardinal-elect Vincent Nichols as “a clear and bold
sign of the importance of prayer in the search for visible Christian unity.”
To find out more Philippa Hitchen spoke first to Anglican Chemin Neuf member Alan
Morley-Fletcher and then to the French founder of the community, Fr Laurent Fabre:
Listen:
"It was an
amazing surprise for us and we didn't hesitate to say yes ...we already knew Justin
Welby well because of the work he'd already done in Africa on reconciliation and our
community is very present in Africa, so we said yes with great joy....
Our
day is based around prayer......in between that we would be around...trying to meet
people...discussing with them, sometimes ministering to people who are here or who
are visiting....
Since 1534 there's been this division between the Anglican
and Catholic Churches...this is something very significant we're witnessing now....and
it gives joy to a lot of people....for example to the Pope.....and in England also
to Archbishop Vincent Nichols who is about to become a cardinal.....it's a little
beginning but it gives us a lot of hope....
There are important points in common
between Pope Francis and Justin Welby....for both it was a surprise election, both
are very popular, very much loved....both want to go further in terms of unity of
Christians.....and as both are men of prayer, we can expect good suprises....and we
need to pray for both of them so that they can take the right decisions at the right
time"