Prelate Oblivious To Demonstrators

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31586, 25 January 1968, Page 11

Prelate Oblivious To Demonstrators

f.V Z P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, January 23. Angry Protestants shouted “traitor” and “blasphemy” when the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr Michael Ramsey) went to the Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster last night to pray for Church unity.

But Dr Ramsey did not! seem to notice the hymn-) singing, banner-waving crowd) of about 50 held at a distance ) by the police. Hundreds in the congrega-; tion of several thousand knelt I 1o receive the Archbishop’s) Anglican blessing as he [ entered the cathedral. When Cardinal John Heenan received the Archbishop at the foot of the sanctuary steps, a burst of applause and cheering echoed through the building. “For me your presence is like the fulfilment of a prophecy,” Cardinal Heenan' said. Cardinal Heenan said it was' a sign of the rapid advance in) understanding between Christ-| ians in Britain that the Arch-) bishop could come without I evoking criticism from either of the two communions’. In his sermon. Dr Ramsey talked of his visit to Pope Paul at the Vatican nearly two years ago, and the progress since made in relations between the Roman Catholic) and Anglican Churches. But he said the way to the' re-integration of Christendom: was long. The service, part of the' world-wide week of prayer for! Christian unity, ended when j Roman Catholics and Angli-I cans recited together the 1 same Apostles’ Creed and the same Lord’s Prayer.

They also sang the same final hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation.” The Cardinal and the Archbishop, both 63, then walked in solemn procession around the cathedral, and again hundreds knelt for the Archbishop's blessing.