Receptive Ecumenism and ARCIC III

Abstract

This chapter examines the change of method in the most recent phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC III), resulting in Walking Together on the Way: Learning to Be the Church—Local, Regional, Universal (2017). The method of ARCIC I and II is presented as an example of ‘differentiated consensus’. Responses to ARCIC, particularly from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, highlighted shortcomings not only in the Commission’s work but also in the presuppositions of its method. At worst, differentiated consensus appears as a merely semantic solution to longstanding theological differences. Its hope for success rests, unrealistically, on the belief that ultimately what transpires to be unresolvable difference between Christian traditions can be understood to be of secondary importance and therefore not church-dividing. It can also appear somewhat static as a method, leaving the dialoguing Christian communities unchanged by their agreements. The adoption of Receptive Ecumenism responds to these challenges. Returning to the vision of Unitatis Redintegratio, ARCIC’s latest document sees the road to unity as being one of ecclesial conversion and renewal. Learning from the other is the concrete way in which the ecumenical dialogues can contribute to this renewal process that leads to the unity of the churches.