Third phase of Catholic-Anglican dialogue to begin in 2010

Pope Benedict and Dr Rowan Williams

The Holy See has announced plans to begin the third phase of the 'Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission' (ARCIC).

In a statement, the Vatican said: "Following the 21 November meeting in the Vatican between Benedict XVI and Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, in the course of which they reiterated their desire to strengthen ecumenical relations between Anglicans
and Catholics, on 23 November the meeting took place of the committee entrusted with preparing the third phase of the 'Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission' (ARCIC). It was decided that this new phase will begin during next year.

"The third phase will focus on fundamental questions concerning the Church - local Church and universal Church - understood as communion, and on the way in which the local and universal Church can, in communion, discern just moral teaching.

"Over coming months the members of the commission will be appointed, and the date of its first meeting will be announced".

Source: VIS