wfn.org | Anglicans and Old Catholic meeting explores models of pastoral theology

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2001-118

Anglicans and Old Catholic meeting explores models of pastoral theology

by Markus Dünzkofer

     (ENS) "Ecumenism at work" could have been the subtitle of the Anglican-Old 
Catholic Seminar that met in Oberplanitzing in South Tyrol (Italy) at the end of 
April. 

     Nineteen lay and ordained theologians--mostly from GenX and GenY--from both 
Anglican and Old Catholic churches demonstrated what ecumenical "Unity in 
Diversity" could look like. The focus of this year's agenda was on "Healthy 
pastoral care givers: Old Catholic and Anglican models of pastoral theology."

     Unlike other ecumenical conversations, Anglicans and Old Catholics (of the 
Union of Utrecht) have enjoyed "full communion" between their two traditions for 
70 years, opening the possibility for common worship, including daily shared 
celebration of the Holy Eucharist, and practical dialogues, focusing on ministry 
and pastoral care.

     Participants came from various countries and churches, including the Old 
Catholic Churches of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, the 
Netherlands, and Poland; the Catholic Diocese of the Old Catholics in Germany, 
the Old Catholic Mission in South Tyrol, and Christ-Catholic Church of 
Switzerland; the Churches of England and Ireland; and the Episcopal Churches of 
the United States of America and of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

     A special treat was the participation of a member of the Reformed Church of 
the Netherlands and two members of the Old Catholic Church of the Mariavites, a 
church that received apostolic succession through the Church of Utrecht, but is 
not herself a member of the Union of Utrecht.

     The next meeting of the group will be in Prague in August 2002. For the 10th 
anniversary meeting, the members decided to chose the birthplace of Christianity: 
Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Conferences are open to clergy or interested 
laypersons from around the world.

--The Rev. Markus Dünzkofer is assistant rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal 
Church, Evanston, Illinois.