Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

From the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst website

Clergy from across the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst and their counterparts from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst will gather in Bathurst on Thursday May 24 to witness the signing of a covenant between the two denominational groups.

Anglican Bishop of Bathurst Richard Hurford and Catholic Bishop Michael McKenna will sign the covenant which will commit the two dioceses to:

• an annual ecumenical service;
• a bienniel joint clergy day;
• local services to enliven common witness to our baptism in Jesus Christ;
• exploring possibilities for sharing church plant and resources;
• cooperation in preparation for Christian marriage and Christian education; and
• openness to fellowship with other eccelsial communities.

The covenant has grown out of many years of unofficial co-operation, and has been brought to this more formal stage by the work of a small committee representing the two dioceses.

Wellingon resident Jenny Bremner and Blayney Catholic priest Fr Tim Cahill have worked with Dean Anne Wentzel and Orange priest Canon Frank Hetherington over the last 12 months to develop the document.

When the clergy of the two dioceses gather in Bathurst on May 24, they will begin in St Michael and St John's Catholic Cathedral, embark on a pilgrimage walk to All Saints' Anglican Cathedral two blocks away for the formal signing of the agreement, and then return to the Catholic Cathedral for refreshments.