Anglicans, Catholics Reach Pact on Salvation

Anglican and Roman Catholics theologians, concluding a meeting this week in Llandaff, Wales, of an ongoing international commission on doctrinal issues between the two Christian traditions, say they have agreed on a joint statement on salvation and justification.

Canon Christopher Hill, an Anglican member of the commission, called justification “the most complicated theological subject,” focusing on whether a believer was justified, or accepted by God, through his own good works or through faith in Christ. Protestants had accused Catholics of reliance on good works, an accusation never accepted by Catholics.

Canon Hill said the agreed statement, entitled “Salvation and the Church” and produced by 12 theologians from each church, was long and complex. It will now go for study to Rome and to authorities of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Although the series of theological position papers have been designed to encourage removal of obstacles to ultimate Christian unity, Vatican authorities made it clear this year that Catholics see the ordination of women in some parts of the Anglican Communion as a major obstacle.