The Malines Conversations Group

An introduction to the Malines Conversations  Group of Anglican and Catholic International Theologians Committed to Dialogue and Unity

By Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer for NWCT
 
Building on the previous article on ‘The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine Justification (JDDJ)’ signed by Lutherans and Catholics on 31^st October 1999 in Augsburg Germany, I wanted to introduce the work of the Malines Conversations Group.  For those who are not familiar with the group, this an interesting and informal international group of Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians committed to dialogue and unity.  The group takes its name and inspiration from the original Malines Conversations of the 1920s.  The Malines Conversations, held in Mechelen (Malines) Belgium from 1921 to 1927, were a series of five church unity conversations exploring possibilities of corporate reunion between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. 

The current Malines Conversations Group is under the patronage of Cardinal Jozeph De Kesel (Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels) and The Right Reverend and Right Honourable The Lord Williams of Oystermouth (former Archbishop of Canterbury), and meets with the blessing and support of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity and Lambeth Palace.  Like its predecessor, it is an informal group whilst also keeping in close contact with the official mandated ecumenical bodies in both communions; it includes members of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM).

Whether you are Anglican, Catholic, or from another tradition, the work of the group is worth checking out because the conclusions they come to reflect their lived ecumenical relationships and their shared commitment to Church Unity.  Their work is done informally and in established friendship, but it is always underpinned by sound and creative theological thinking that reflects the more formal international commissions on ecumenism.  Their website can be found by clicking here.

I was especially interested in their paper “SISTERS IN HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION”: A FRESH RESPONSE TO THE CONDEMNATION OF ANGLICAN ORDERS (1896).  The paper (Sorores in Spe) challenges the negative view of Anglican ordinations expressed in Pope Leo XIII's Apostolic Letter Apostolicae Curae (1896), which led to the Pope's condemnation: “We pronounce and declare that ordinations performed according to the Anglican rite have been, and are, absolutely null and utterly void.  As a Catholic even I can see how sustaining this position will be a major hinderance to the progress of ecumenism.  In many ways this is the proverbially Elephant in the room for Unity.  The Malines’ paper gently but convincingly argues that the current ecclesial and sociocultural contexts are significantly different from the time of the condemnation. 

Their proposal to revise the judgment on Anglican orders draws on insights from the Liturgical and Ecumenical Movements of the 20th century, the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, and symbolic gestures by Church leaders (not restricted to the two traditions).  Reflection on the updated ordination rites in both Anglican and Catholic traditions also contribute to the argument.  These rites shed light on the ministry of all the baptised, including deacons, priests, and bishops.  A broader understanding of the Church as the People of God and the Body of Christ, beyond denominational boundaries, is encouraged through the concepts of ecclesiality, mystery, participation, and anamnesis. 

Considering this historical and theological evidence, the Malines Conversations Group proposes revising the negative judgment of Apostolicae Curae to foster greater unity.  In doing so what I like is that the Group are realistic they end the paper by saying:

“Where we once walked apart, we now walk together in friendship and love.  For both our communions, it would be nothing less than a recognition of our ecclesial experience if the condemnation of 1896 were to be seen as inapplicable to contemporary Anglican ordinations.  The judgment made then does not accord with the reality into which the Spirit has led us now.  We do not expect that if this reappraisal were to happen ecclesial communion would immediately be restored but our two communions would have taken a significant step along the road on which we are rediscovering our commitment to one another as sisters in hope of the Resurrection.” (Sorores in Spe, pp.25-26)

The Malines Conversation Group last gathered on Saturday (April 20, 2024) at the Sofia Centre just outside Helsinki for their annual session.  Their work continues to be encouraged and supported by Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin.