The Diocese of Broken Bay constantly prayers the prayer of Christ ‘that all may be one’. It commits itself to continue to work for unity, acknowledging that this will underpin all its apostolic and pastoral activities. Ecumenism is an organic part of its life and work, and consequently must pervade all that it is and does (Ut unum sint, 20).
Further, it commits itself to exploring ways of recognising and celebrating the imperfect communion that already exists with other local Churches and communities, and, on the basis of this recognition, of taking the next tentative steps towards full communion.
The Diocesan Ecumenical Commission provides a forum for the provision, development and encouragement of ecumenism in the Diocese. It assists the Bishop in facilitation of all Diocesan Ecumenical activities and programs.
For a number of years our Diocese has worked in close collaboration with the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle with which we share common territory on the Central Coast and with the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle which also overlaps with the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle. As a result of a growing sense of collaboration and a number of shared activities the step was finally taken on 2nd April 2008 of entering into a formal Diocesan Covenant, which commits our three Dioceses to a range of shared activities and initiatives. This took place in a very joyous liturgical celebration in Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Newcastle and will be annually celebrated and reaffirmed at an ecumenical liturgical celebration. A copy of the covenant may be seen by clicking here.
Fr Colin Blayney
Chair, Diocesan Ecumenical Commission
Contact:
Sr Trish Madigan op
Diocesan Co-ordinator Ecumenism and Interfaith
Phone: 02 9847 0428
Fax: 02 9847 0501