Anglicans and Methodists Anew Together? The Restoration of Church Unity between Anglicans and Methodists in Great Britain according to the Document Mission and Ministry in Covenant

  • Przemysław Kantyka The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Faculty of Theology
Keywords: Church of England; Methodist Church; Anglicans; Methodists; Covenant; Church unity; Mission and Ministry in Covenant

Abstract

The article describes the latest proposal by the Church of England and Methodist Church Faith and Order bodies to restore Anglican-Methodist unity in Great Britain. If mutually adopted, the document Mission and Ministry in Covenant would enable introduction of episcopacy in the Methodist Church, the presbyteral ordination of Methodist ministers by a bishop, then mutual recognition and interchangeability of presbyteral ministry in both Churches. The proposal concerning the introduction of the episcopal ordination in the Methodist Church presupposes ordination to the episcopacy of each elected President of Methodist Conference. Then, a President-bishop ordained in such a way would ordain Methodist presbyters. As to the Methodist presbyters, who were not episcopally ordained, the document presupposes the recognition of their ministry by the Church of England in the terms of “bearable anomaly.” Yet, such a solution poses many questions and theological doubts.

References

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Published
2020-01-30
Section
Articles