The Common Declarations of the Popes and the Archbishops of Canterbury
The Common Declarations issued jointly by the Popes and the Archbishops of Canterbury constitute the primary mandate for the modern ecumenical relationship between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.
Spanning over half a century, these texts serve a unique function in church history. They are not merely diplomatic communiqués; they are authoritative directives that establish the scope and purpose of our dialogue. From the thawing of relations in the post-Vatican II era to the complex landscape of the twenty-first century, these documents authorise the theological work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the missional collaboration of IARCCUM.
They chronicle a journey of resilience, moving from the initial “restoration of unity” to a mature commitment to “walk together” as brothers and sisters in Christ, even amidst profound theological and ethical challenges.
Key documents:
- The Common Declaration of 1966 The foundational text signed by Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, inaugurating the official dialogue.
- The Common Declaration of 1989 A pivotal text by Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Robert Runcie, re-committing to unity despite the emergence of the ordination of women as a serious obstacle.
- The Common Declaration of 2016 Signed by Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby, this declaration commissions bishops to work in pairs (IARCCUM) and establishes the principle of being “undeterred” by difference.
A Mandate for Unity
The existence of these declarations is rooted in a specific ecclesiological necessity: the need for the highest authorities of our Communions to publicly sanction the search for unity.
The inaugural declaration of 1966 established the goal as the “restoration of complete communion of faith and sacramental life.” While the context has evolved, this mandate remains explicit. The declarations provide the governing mechanism for our dialogue, formally establishing commissions to address “all that hinders the mutual recognition of the ministries of our Communions” and providing a forum to evaluate their work.
A History of Resilience
The narrative of the Common Declarations reflects the reality of our changing relationship.
- The Breakthrough (1966–1982): The early texts are characterised by theological optimism and the “forgetting of the past.” This era saw the formal inauguration of ARCIC and the commitment to serious dialogue on Scripture, Tradition, and Liturgy.
- Realism and Obstacles (1989–2006): As new obstacles to Unity, Faith and Order emerged—specifically regarding the ordination of women and questions of authority—the declarations became vehicles for honest diagnosis. They acknowledged that such developments prevented full reconciliation but refused to abandon the dialogue.
- Undeterred Friendship (2016–Present): The most recent declarations articulate a relationship of “real but imperfect communion.” In 2016, Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby explicitly stated that while they “do not yet see solutions” to the obstacles before them, they remain “undeterred,” prioritising shared mission and witness to the world.
Related Dialogues
The Common Declarations authorise the work of our official commissions.
- ARCIC (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission) The theological body tasked by the Common Declarations to examine Scripture, Tradition, and Authority.
- IARCCUM (International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission) The bishops’ commission established to give practical expression to our shared mission and witness.
