The head of a theology college will be looking at how churches can think ethically in today’s world as he joins an international faith commission.
Revd Canon Dr Peter Sedgwick, Principal of St Michael’s College, Llandaff, has been appointed a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). The body, which was set up 40 years ago to promote unity between the two churches, will begin a new round of dialogue in May.
Its focus will be how local churches across the world can respond to a range of ethical issues such as abortion, capital punishment, cloning, the environment and consumerism. The talks are expected to last at least five years.
Canon Sedgwick, an ethicist who has published widely on Anglican social issues, said he was looking forward to the discussions which he hoped would further Christian unity.
He said, “There is currently some disagreement between the Anglicans and Roman Catholics , especially on how much latitude members of the churches have in following church teaching. The issue is how scripture is used in all of this; and what place the experience of the local church is allowed in discerning what is the proper ethical response. For example, the Church in Wales has to wrestle with very difficult issues that arise in society, speak to them, and have a Christian witness which is both open to the rich diversity in society, and yet maintains the truth of the Gospel.
“My experience at St Michael’s has shown me that in an all party college ( conservative/ liberal and catholic/ protestant, all within the Church in Wales and also Methodism) what is needed is for people not to stereotype too quickly, but to be prepared to be in conversation for a long period. That does cause people to change and to recognise how others respond to the call to follow Christ.
“Ecumenism is a long haul, which brings a gradual change in perception of how the different churches see each other. The theological work achieved by ARCIC over 40 years has been enormous. I hope this third conversation will bring greater understanding between the two churches, with the chance to build on the agreements reached in previous reports of the Commission. It’ s for the sponsoring churches to use this material as they see fit, in their search for unity.”
ARCIC was set up following a meeting of the Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI in 1966. The dialogue has covered the areas of ministry, authority and the sacraments in the first round of dialogue, and the doctrine of the church in the second. There are 20 members of the Commission, drawn from the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. The Commission is co- chaired by The Most Reverend Bernard Longley who is (Roman Catholic) Archbishop of Birmingham, and The Most Reverend David Moxon, who is the Bishop of Waikato and (Anglican) Archbishop of the Dioceses of New Zealand in the Province of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.
