Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea Diocese of Port Moresby

Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant In Papua New Guinea.
A report from Bishop Peter Fox.

In Papua New Guinea, Anglicans and Roman Catholics are remarkably close to one another in our style, our theology and especially in our prayers. On the 20th. July, 2003, the growing friendship between us was celebrated in the signing of a Covenant between the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Churches of Papua New Guinea. It was a joyful occasion, the public recognition of something that has long been a reality, our firm intention to work together more completely, to pray for each other more, to work at the things that still divide us and not to give up on the endeavour until the day we achieve full communion.

Archbishop James Ayong, the Anglican Primate, and Bishop John Ribat, representing the Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea, were the signatories to the Covenant document, but the whole congregation joined in an Act of Penitence over past wrongs, the Profession of Faith using the Apostles' Creed familiar to both communions, and an Act of Commitment,

"To live, work and pray as one body in Christ;
to do apart nothing which we can do together
and to do together what we cannot do apart".

The document itself goes much further than a mere statement of good intentions. Certainly, it sets forward the vision, but it also lists some of the practical ways in which our two communions will foster the relationship. We promise each other more effective co-operation on matters of social concern, education and family counselling. Our bishops promise to make attendance at each others' conferences a priority and to really listen to each other. The document contains the resolution that we will speak out with one voice at times of crisis in the life of the nation. It is a Covenant about practising unity not just talking about it.

Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane, whose work for the Vatican on ecumenical matters is well-known, was present at the Signing. He said that this was the first such event for the Catholic Church. Of course there had been covenants in other times and places at local level, but they had rarely included the Roman Catholics and had never, to the best of his knowledge, involved a whole province of the Church. He said that because this was such an unusual event the Vatican was watching developments in Papua New Guinea with great interest. In a very real way the young Church of Papua New Guinea (Anglican and Roman Catholic) was leading the way and by God's grace others would follow.

God grant it be so.

How has such a close friendship between Anglicans and Roman Catholics come about in Papua New Guinea? Are there lessons here for other Churches and Communions seeking greater unity in Christ? I believe the answer must be "Yes."

1. Respect for one another's traditions, so evident in Papua New Guinea, is the context which made this remarkable public statement possible. Because we respect each other, we need not fear to discuss with freedom the things that still divide us.
The Covenants states this very clearly:

"Pursuing theological dialogue on matters that still separate us: for example, authority and freedom, unity and pluriformity, setting limits and respecting differences, inter-communion and the validity of Anglican Orders, married priests and women's ordinations."

2. Shared history binds us instead of dividing us. The often shameful history of persecution between our churches in Europe is not part of the Papua New Guinean experience. On the other hand, both churches have their martyrs, most of whom died during the Japanese occupation in World War II. We know each other's stories. Here we have shared persecution rather than inflicted it upon each other.

3. We have a very similar understanding of the Sacraments, Priesthood and Episcopacy. It is often said that the largely Anglo-Catholic emphasis of the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea is bound to ease our dialogue with Rome. However Roman Catholics are no more impressed by the externals of faith than we are. It is not our similar outward expression of worship that draws us closer but the emphasis on the sacramental life that is common to our Anglican heritage. That emphasis is especially obvious in the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea. It makes it easier for us to understand each other.

4. We share the same priorities in Mission. We deal, on a daily basis with situations of poverty and violence, and our resources, both financial and human are very limited. It makes all of us very conscious of the desperate need for close co-operation in practical pastoral care. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the areas of Education and Health. The free sharing of resources by the churches is essential if the quality of care is to be maintained.

5. Squabbling over detail is a luxury our people cannot afford. There needs to be a clear and undivided teaching of the Gospel the Catholic Church (Anglican and Roman Catholics included) proclaims. Small fundamentalist sects are entering Papua New Guinea and becoming established at an alarming rate. Often they care little about the traditional culture of the people and are insensitive to the churches already at work in an area they enter. They teach a very different kind of gospel and people are confused. This widespread "sheep-stealing" makes it all the more vital for the historic churches to support one another, speaking the Truth we share quietly and clearly. The details we can sort out later. We have sheep to look after!

The ARCIC process begun in 1966 helped us embark on a long journey of faith, towards true unity and a restored Communion. The signing of the Covenant on Sunday, the 20th. July, 2003, at St. Martin's Anglican Church, Boroko, Port Moresby, marked an important milestone along the way.

All of us who were present on that day felt the pain of our divisions, but we also shared the joy of a growing friendship. There is a long journey still in front of us, but see how far we have already come. The road will be long and fraught with problems, but we are resolved to continue our journey together. We will continue our dialogue with trust and respect for each other. We will not give up the quest until we can kneel side by side and receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion as the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which our Creed affirms and for which our Lord prayed.