Receptive ecumenism was the theme of the latest meeting of the Anglican Roman Catholic Conference of Aotearoa New Zealand (ARCCANZ) at Mercy Spirituality Centre in Epsom. 

Unlike earlier Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogues which have focussed on doctrine, receptive ecumenism starts from a position of weakness, humility, conversion, Archbishop David Moxon said.

“You tell us your worst nightmare and we’ll tell you ours. Perhaps we can help one another sort out our difficulties.

“We may not agree on everything but we can be each other’s best support.” 

The recent ARCCANZ meeting further studied John Paul II’s 1995 apostolic letter to the Orthodox churches of the world which also called for conversion, humility.

Only through conversion can Christianity hope to address the serious sin of separation. Only through humility can the West learn from the beauty of memory, the silence and inner quiet, the inaccessible mystery of the Holy Trinity inherent in the liturgies of the East.  

ARCCANZ will reflect further on receptive ecumenism and Eastern liturgy when it meets in March next year.

The latest meeting welcomed Father John C. O’Connor of Christchurch as its newest Catholic member.

Father O’Connor serves parishes in Hurunui (North Canterbury) and the Chatham Islands.