The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

"It is, I believe, clear that parts of the document and indeed the tone of the document

• are not a reflection of the very positive experiences and co-operation of Christians and Churches at local level
• appear to run counter to the trend of the significant ecumenical progress of the past forty years
• and, in its sentiments, is remote from what is actually happening of note in parishes and communities throughout Ireland.

"In writing for urgent clarification from our brother bishops of the Catholic Church in Ireland, the Bishops of the Church of Ireland have underlined the importance they attach to the ecumenical endeavour and the quest for unity.

"Having devoted my own ministry to ecumenical study and endeavour, I believe this, rather than becoming a stumbling block, can become a moment of ecumenical advance. Here is an opportunity, as one Church states its own position, for bishops, clergy and people of many traditions to come together to study the document, to share insights and to express hurts.

"As it is, there is much in this document with which all Christians will readily agree, while disagreeing resolutely with the assertion by the document that "the Church" .... "constituted and organised as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church" Face to face, eye to eye ecumenism framed in a context of common prayer, would surely be much more challenging and fruitful than the publication of any text."