Pope Benedict XVI has spoken of the need for continued cooperation between Anglicans and Catholics as he acknowledged the obstacles that continue to hinder unity between the two Churches.

In a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Canterbury at his official residence, Lambeth Palace in London, the Pope said he did not want to speak at length on the “difficulties that the ecumenical path has encountered and continues to encounter” but rather express his thanks for the “deep friendship that has grown between us and for the remarkable progress that has been made in so many areas of dialogue” in the last forty years.

“For us Christians this opens up the possibility of exploring, together with members of other religious traditions, ways of bearing witness to the transcendent dimension of the human person and the universal call to holiness, leading to the practice of virtue in our personal and social lives,” he said.

“Ecumenical cooperation in this task remains essential, and will surely bear fruit in promoting peace and harmony in a world that so often seems at risk of fragmentation.”

The Pope went on to say that Christians “must never hesitate to proclaim our faith in the uniqueness of the salvation won for us by Christ”.

He went on to address the issue of inclusivity, a thorn in the dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans – while parts of the Anglican Communion have begun to consecrate homosexual clergy and bless homosexual unions, the Catholic Church remains uncompromising in the sinfulness of homosexuality.

The Pope said: “We recognise that the Church is called to be inclusive, yet never at the expense of Christian truth. Herein lies the dilemma facing all who are genuinely committed to the ecumenical journey.”

He spoke of John Henry Newman and the Cardinal’s friendship with former colleagues in the Church of England, as he appealed to the two Churches to continue to explore the questions which divide them.

“In that same spirit of friendship, let us renew our determination to pursue the goal of unity in faith, hope, and love, in accordance with the will of our one Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”