The Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church will begin a new phase of ecumenism, one which “goes beyond theological dialogue,” according to a joint statement issued Nov. 23 after a formal audience by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams at the Vatican with Pope Benedict XVI.

The visit marked the 40th anniversary of the historic visit during which Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey and Pope Paul VI sought to heal a 400-year-old breach among Christians.

“Since that meeting, the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion have entered into a process of fruitful dialogue, which has been marked by the discovery of significant elements of shared faith and a desire to give expression, through joint prayer, witness and service, to that which we hold in common,” the statement said. “True ecumenism goes beyond theological dialogue; it touches our spiritual lives and our common witness. As our dialogue has developed, many Catholics and Anglicans have found in each other a love for Christ which invites us into practical co-operation and service.”

The visit included a 25-minute private audience for Archbishop Williams in Pope Benedict’s study, a 40-minute general audience and a joint worship service of midday prayers with psalms sung in plainsong, in the presence of senior Anglicans including Archbishop Peter Carnley and Bishop David Beetge and senior Vatican representatives, including Cardinal Walter Kasper and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor. The consultation concluded with lunch.

The joint statement suggests that both Archbishop Williams and Pope Benedict want to expand the ecumenical relationship and move beyond theological differences. Without mentioning by name problematic issues such as the doctrine of papal infallibility for Anglicans or the ordination of women and openly homosexual persons into apostolic orders for Roman Catholics, the statement acknowledged that there remained “serious obstacles” to ecumenical progress and that continued dialogue to address those issues was a matter of “urgency.” But the statement also said it was important that the ecumenical dialogue not become fixated upon them.

Among areas meriting closer co-operation, the statement mentioned “the pursuit of peace in the Holy Land and in other parts of the world marred by conflict and the threat of terrorism; promoting respect for life from conception until natural death; protecting the sanctity of marriage and the well-being of children in the context of a healthy family life; outreach to the poor, oppressed and the most vulnerable, especially those who are persecuted for their faith; addressing the negative effects of materialism; and care for the creation of our environment;” and inter-religious dialogue “through which we can jointly reach out to our non-Christian brothers and sisters.”