Bishop Hill reported on a meeting of eight Roman Catholic and eight Anglican Bishops which had taken place in October, 1975 in Toronto. Bishop Hill said there was discussion of the ARCIC Agreed Statement on the Eucharist and also some discussion on the Ordination to the Priesthood, including the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood. Also included on the agenda was a discussion of the Berger Commission report on aboriginal land claims, and Christian Initiation. Bishop Hill said that the group attended Evensong at St. James Cathedral and Mass at St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto.
He reported a clear desire had been expressed by the Bishops to continue discussions on an enlarged basis and suggested that the initiative for further encounters would need to be taken by the Anglican Church, through the Canadian Catholic conference. Bishop Hill expressed the strong hope that conversations will be held regionally and that they be the result of local initiative. Bishop Hill said that the Task Force on Anglican/Roman Catholic Relations is to meet November 13th, and requested the Bishops to inform him or the Reverend James Boyles of items of interest and concern for this group.
Text
"That this House express its appreciation to Bishop Hill for his report." CARRIED
Bishop Hollis, in referring to Section XVI, Report of the Task Force on Homosexuality, expressed concern with the statement, "that the report is fair, balanced and well written", suggesting that Biblical references were not adequate. With this notation, it was
Text
"That the Minutes be adopted." CARRIED
Notes
The Primate reported that the name of the Task Force had been changed to The Task Force on Sexuality.
Bishop Snowden provided a brief history of the work of the Task Force, noting that it will hold its final meeting in January, 1983.
Bishop Snowden was joined by Dr. E. Jay, Professor G. Hobbs and the Rev. Paul Gibson.
Professor Hobbs reviewed the document, "Towards the Mutual Recognition of Ordained Ministry," which is in four sections as follows:
1. The Unity and the Division of the Church
2. Anglican/United Church Relations in Canada
3. Problems in Furthering the Relationship
4. A Call to a Common and Open Future.
Mr. Gibson spoke on Section 3. He stressed that the proposal encompasses nothing that is not already being done. The House was asked to consider and affirm the symbolic and theological expression of what is being done.
Mr. Gibson identified three problem areas:
- Models of the Church
- Authority
- Models of Ordained Ministry
Dr. Jay, who did not contribute to the writing of the Report, presented a commentary. (Appendix A.) [text of Appendix A NOT included in electronic database]
The House was asked to consider the following questions:
1. Where does the House stand in general in relation to this proposal?
2. What aspects would the House like to see the Task Force refine when it meets in January?
Following discussion, the House was requested to study this Statement, along with the ARCIC Statement and the Statements of the World Council of Churches.
Text
That this House of Bishops receives the report of the Task Force on the Mutual Recognition of Ordained Ministry, and notes the need for revision in several areas, and affirms the intent of the report, particularly the call for theological and symbolic recognition of shared ministries, and concurs with the Task Forces' call for further work.
Notes
Amendment
Moved by Archbishop Garnsworthy, seconded by Bishop Stiff,
That the words, "notes the need for revision in several areas, and" be omitted. DEFEATED 8-10-82