Catholics, Anglicans to bring ‘Pilgrims Together’

TORONTO - Convinced that Church unity can only be the result of devout prayer and serious thinking, Anglicans and Catholics are getting together to do both at St. James Anglican Cathedral in Toronto Nov. 9. 

“Pilgrims Together,” a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism, will begin with liturgical prayer at 7 p.m. followed by talks from University of St. Michael’s College theologian Michael Attridge and Wycliff College professor Alan Hayes. It all winds up with concluding remarks from St. Michael’s emeritus professor Harry McSorley. 

The event will serve as the launch for a new Catholic guide to ecumenism from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. “A Church in Dialogue: Towards the Restoration of Unity Among Christians” is an in-depth look at Catholic commitment to ecumenism which Canada’s bishops have issued to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Unitatis Redintegratio. 

“From a faith perspective, the source and inspiration of all of this dialogue comes from our understanding of who God is and how God has entered into relationship with the human race and the Church through history,” the bishops write in the new guide. “We are called to be a Church in dialogue because the Triune God has entered into dialogue with us, and has shared with us the mission of the Incarnate Word in the world.” 

The event is free and open to all.