STORY - "Three Dioceses Sign Historic Covenant"

A significant step forward in the progress of ecumenism will occur on 2 April at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Newcastle.

Bishops Michael Malone from the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Brian Farran and Graeme Rutherford of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and David Walker of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay along with diocesan leaders will sign a Covenant “in the spirit of the mutual recognition of what unites us…” The Covenant commits the three dioceses to a series of joint initiatives ranging from an annual Episcopal Dialogue to the exploration of possibilities for the sharing of church resources.

Bishop Brian Farran describes this Tri-Diocesan Covenant as “a trail blazing event in the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches in Australia. The significance of this Covenant is not to be underestimated,” he says.

The notion of Covenant goes all the way back to the Hebrew Scriptures, where the Book of Genesis records the Covenant between God and Abraham: “Between you and me I will establish my covenant, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” (Gen 17:2) The sacrifice of Jesus ‘ratified’ the Covenant between God and God’s people.

For Bishop David Walker, an important principle underlying the proposed Covenant is the prayer of Jesus, that “all may be one.” (Jn 17:20-21)

“Unity and peace were important emphases in Jesus’ proclamation. Events of history have shattered the peace and unity of the Christian family, and have made it difficult for us to live together. Pope John Paul II gave us documents that are the basis of our efforts to relate more closely to other Christians. Pope Benedict XVI has reiterated this message. Not to move in this direction is to ignore what our Catholic community is proclaiming very forcefully today.

“This Covenant is a pledge to continue the things that we are doing together, and a commitment to be open to further involvement in the future. It is meant too, to be a challenge to our respective communities to enter, formally or informally, into closer relationships with other Christians.”

In her role as liturgist for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Sr Carmel Pilcher RSJ has been meeting with liturgists from the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay and the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle. In the spirit of the Covenant, they have been working together on what is described as a very powerful liturgy.

Carmel says that it includes a number of significant moments, including a gathering and celebration of the three dioceses at the font that recognises our common baptism, and, later, a focus on word, table and the exchange of gifts. “There’ll be a ritual signing of the covenant, and we will be given a replica of the covenant to take back to our own communities. The liturgy will also feature a lament for what still divides us, a call for continuing reconciliation and a hope for the future.”

Carmel joins Bishop Michael in strongly urging “all of us to be there!”

Bishop Michael’s rationale for participating enthusiastically in this initiative is drawn from a personal philosophy of creation, as well as from warm friendships with Anglican counterparts over many years. “God made the universe in order that it might exist in some kind of harmonious whole. The human element in creation is far from harmonious. It’s my world view, I suppose, that God wants creation to live in one harmonious whole before it’s ready to be united with the fullness of God.”

Some of the provisions of the Ecumenical Covenant are not new, but this agreement formalises them. An annual Episcopal dialogue, an annual joint Clergy Day and a twice-yearly meeting of the Ecumenical Commissions and Bishops of the three Dioceses are all in place. However, yearly Services of Worship and of Reconciliation will be new signs to the community that churches in three dioceses are attempting to walk together.

Reflecting on the covenant, Bishop Michael said, “I think most ecumenical people would say that we want to get to a point where we respect each other’s culture and tradition, we respect the liturgical practice of each one, with a sense that ‘I’m prepared to learn from you, and I hope you’re prepared to learn from me.’ Who knows where that attitude might lead?

“I could foresee a time when inter-communion between the Anglican and Catholic traditions, particularly here in Maitland-Newcastle and the Newcastle Anglican diocese, could be a reality. It saddens me now that when I attend the Eucharist in the Anglican Cathedral I don’t receive Holy Communion, although everything in me wants to receive Holy Communion.”

All members of the diocesan community are warmly invited to be present at Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle at 7.45pm on 2 April when the Covenant will be signed.

Tracey Edstein

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