ANGLICAN CONCEDES POPE’S LEADERSHIP

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30269, 23 October 1963, Page 13

ANGLICAN CONCEDES POPE’S LEADERSHIP

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter —Copyright)

ROME, Oct. 22

The leader of the Anglican observers at the Vatican Ecumenical Council was yesterday quoted as saying that if there was to be a united Christian church its head would have to be the i Pope.

In an interview released last night by the Roman Catholic news service, the Bishop of Ripon the Rt. Rev J. R. H. Moorman) said the Anglican Communion had lived 400 years in separation from Rome.

“During that time the claims of the Pope have increased. especially with the decree of infallibility in 1870.” he said. If there was to be a Anal unity among Christians, “there will have to be a central head of the Church, and that head will clearly have to be the Bishop of Rome.”

Bishop Moorman said he believed the Anglican Communion as a whole "would be prepared to accept the fact of the Papacy, although they would find great difficulty in recognising the basis on which the Primacy rests.” He added: "Far too much has been m-.de of the words of our Lord to Saint Peter "

Bishop Moorman also commented on the discussion in the "collegiality” of bishops, or the collective responsibility with the Pope. He said the Roman Catholic Church would be greatly strengthened if this principle “were accepted, and some method provided whereby representative bishops of the whole world could form permanent council with the Pope.” A Russian Orthodox Church observer at the Council has said that other Christian churches are reedy to work for unity. He was Arch-Priest Vitali Dorovod, who was quoted by the Council’s press office as say mg: "We are always ready to help o"r Roman Catholic brethren in everything tha can contribute to rapproche ment and union among all Christians.”