Evangelical Anglicans May Reject ARCIC’s Document on Mary

The major theological document "Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ" published by the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) which addresses the role of Virgin Mary in both the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Church, was officially launched in the UK yesterday at Westminster Abbey.

The 43-page document is generally being considered as a major step towards unity between the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Churches. There has been division on the belief of the Virgin Mary for over a century since the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed in 1854. However, evangelical Anglicans have rejected to accept the document, denying that the report about the beliefs in Mary drawn up by the theologians is supported by the New Testament.

According to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Pope Pius IX in 1854, Mary was unlike ordinary mortals and born free of the shadow of original sin. In 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption, which holds that Mary was received body and soul into heaven.

Protestants, including Anglicans, traditionally reject Catholic teachings on Mary, saying there is no Biblical basis for these dogmas.

Yesterday, the document was presented by Anglican theologian Nicholas Sagovsky, canon of Westminster Abbey, as a fruit of a five-year consultation. It concluded, "...we[the Churches] do not consider the practice of asking Mary and the saints to pray for us as communion dividing...we believe that there is no continuing theological reason for ecclesial division on these matters."

Evangelical Anglicans yet insisted that the "infallible" dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, are "consonant with the teaching of scripture", quoted the Church of England Newspaper.

According to AFP news agency, Reform, the evangelical wing of the Church of England, said that the idea of praying to Mary "goes completely against the grain of Jesus Christ being our great high priest who intercedes on our behalf with the Father."

The Reverend Rod Thomas, the spokesman for Reform, told Ecumenical News International "theological fudge can never be a basis for moving forward in unity."

The Church of England Newspaper said the document is now to be put to the two Churches. If they come to agreement on this it would put in place questions about authority in a new ecumenical context and represent a fundamental change in the relationship.

The Newspaper suggested that the report has closed the option for Anglicans agreeing to differ on Mary if the churches reunited. "Roman Catholics find it hard to envisage a restoration of communion in which acceptance of certain doctrines would be requisite for some and not for others."

The former Bishop of Woolwich, the Rt Rev Colin Buchanan, warned that it will be very hard to convince many evangelicals about the assertions of the report. He lamented that the ARCIC is "putting itself out on a limb" as it draws such a report that leaves no options remaining for Anglicans.