IN a recent communication to the press, the Archbishop of Canterbury disclosed the fact that conferences with his approval had been proceeding between representatives of the Church of England and the Church of Rome at Malines, in Belgium. In his communication the Archbishop reviews the developments which have followed the Lambeth Conference’s appeal three years ago. He says that, from overseas, reports have come steadily, showing the eager welcome which the appeal for reunion has received in both Episcopal and non-Episcopal Churches.
The relation of the Church of England to the Roman Catholic Church forms the most notable reference in the Archbishop’s communication. “I have myself been repeatedly warned,” he says, “that to touch that subject is unwise—that it is easier and safer to let it severely alone.” That, he concedes, may be true, but he finds it difficult to reconcile the appeal for reunion with an attitude of apathy or sheer timidity as to touching the Roman Catholic question.
“At the Lambeth Conference in 1920,” he continues, “we there expressed our readiness to welcome any friendly discussion between Roman Catholics and Anglicans for which opportunity might be given.” The Archbishop goes on to reveal that, two years ago, a private conference took place at Malines, Belgium, between Cardinal Mercier, the Archbishop of Malines, and a few Anglicans, with a view to the discussion of outstanding and familiar barriers between the Church of England and the Church of Rome. Those on the Anglican side were Dr Armitage Robinson, Dean of Wells; Dr Walter Frere (now Bishop of Truro), and Lord Halifax; and on the Roman Catholic side, Cardinal Mercier, Monsignor Van Roey, and the Abbe Portal.
“The substance of the conversation which took place was reported to me,” he states, “both by the Cardinal and by my Anglican friends. It necessarily turned in large part upon the position and claims of the Roman See, or in other words, the Primacy of the Pope. It was suggested that, with a view to a second visit, the two English Archbishops might informally nominate delegates and might suggest the outline of discussion to be followed. I did not see my way to doing this; but, in the correspondence which ensued, I expressed my readiness to have official cognisance of the arrangements, provided that a corresponding cognisance were given by the Vatican. Satisfied, after correspondence with regard to that point, I gave what was described as friendly cognisance to a second visit of the Anglican group to Malines in March 1923.”
The conversation on this occasion, it is explained, turned in part on certain large administrative problems which might arise, if and when a measure of agreement had been reached on the great doctrinal and historical questions sundering the two Churches. It was agreed that a third Conference should take place. A wish was expressed on both sides that the number of participants should be enlarged, and additions were made of Dr Charles Gore, late Bishop of Oxford, and Dr Kidd, Warden of Keble College, Oxford (both of whom had given special attention to the Roman question), to the Anglican group. The third Conference was held at Malines a few weeks ago. There has not yet been time to weigh adequately the record of the conversations, but I may say at once that, as was inevitable, the discussions are still in a quite elementary stage, and that no estimate, as far as I can judge, can yet be formed as to their ultimate value.
“Needless to say,” the Archbishop adds, “there has been no attempt to initiate what may be called ‘negotiations’ of any sort. The Anglicans who have, with my full encouragement, taken part, are in no sense delegates or representatives of the Church as a whole. They have sought merely to effect some re-statement of controverted questions, and some elucidation of perplexities. And to me it seems indubitable that good must in the Providence of God ensue from the mere fact that men possessing such peculiar qualifications for the task should, in an atmosphere of good-will, on either side, have held quiet and unrestrained converse with a group of Roman Catholic theologians similarly equipped. No further plans are yet prepared, but it is impossible, I think, to doubt that further conversations must follow. The difficulties are immense,” the Archbishop concludes. “You know them as clearly as I do. They may prove, for some time to come, insuperable.”
Such in brief outline is one of the most extraordinary movements since the Reformation, when it is remembered that the Pope and the Primate of the Church of England have given their friendly cognisance. It is to be hoped that it will arouse the sleeping Protestants of England and Scotland from their lethargy.