Christian Unity and Dialogue29 Jan 13

Relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Moravian Church

The Standing Committee has requested the Anglican Affairs Working Group of the Commission for Christian Unity & Dialogue to consider the relationship between the Church of Ireland and the Moravian Church. In doing so we were to bear in mind the continuing possibilities of the Fetter Lane agreement, but also to consider the report ‘Finding our delight in the Lord’ (please click here for the report), which has brought about full communion between Anglicans and Moravians in the US and if appropriate to make suggestions to the Standing Committee concerning the possibility of similar developments in Ireland

This work is now being progressed with enthusiasm and commitment on the part of all concerned. While the Moravian Church in Britain and Ireland is structured as a single province, its discussions with the Church of Ireland are taking place as a bilateral conversation and the participants include bishops of both traditions. This amounts to a significant ecumenical initiative. Representatives of both churches are engaged in detailed and cordial face to face dialogue with the encouragement and prayers of both our churches. It is hoped that a full report on this dialogue and the ideas for enhancing our relationship which will derive from it will be made available in the near future.