Media Centre

General Synod - Summary of business conducted on Wednesday 9th February 2011 PM


ROMAN CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
REPORT: MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST

The Chair of the Council for Christian Unity (The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Christopher Hill) moved:

'That this Synod, affirming the aim of Anglican - Roman Catholic
theological dialogue "to discover each other's faith as it is today and to
appeal to history only for enlightenment, not as a way of perpetuating
past controversy" (Preface to The Final Report, 1982), and in the light
of recent steps towards setting up ARCIC III:

(i) note the theological assessment of the ARCIC report Mary:
Grace and Hope in Christ in the FOAG briefing paper GS 1818
as a contribution to further dialogue;

(ii) welcome exploration of how far Anglicans and Roman Catholics
share a common faith and spirituality, based on the Scriptures
and the early Ecumenical Councils, with regard to the Blessed
Virgin Mary;

(iii) request that, in the context of the quest for closer unity between
our two communions, further joint study of the issues identified
in GS 1818 be undertaken - in particular, the question of the
authority and status of the Roman Catholic dogmas of the
Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary for Anglicans; and

(iv) encourage Anglicans to study the report with ecumenical
colleagues and in particular, wherever possible, with their
Roman Catholic neighbours.'

The Bishop of Chester (the Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster) moved as an amendment:

After "steps towards setting up ARCIC III:" insert as a new paragraph - 

"( ) welcome the ARCIC report Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ";

and

In paragraph (i) leave out "ARCIC" and "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ".

Following debate, the amendment was lost. 

 

Mr John Shelley (Exeter) moved as an amendment:

In paragraphs (ii) and (iii) leave out "the Blessed Virgin Mary" and insert "Mary, the mother of Jesus".

Following debate, the amendment was lost. 

Following a vote of closure preventing the discussion of further amendments, the motion was carried. 

Audio of session


FAREWELLS

PROROGATION

Audio of session