Though official acceptance of the proposals will require long-term consideration by the respective churches, the Vatican and Anglican Communion headquarters appointed the 20 negotiators who worked out the unprecedented agreement.
"It's an extraordinary document," says the Rev. Arthur Kennedy, the U.S. Catholic bishops' ecumenical director.
Key points in the accord:
Read moreIn August of 2003, at its triennial General Convention, the Episcopal Church, the 2-million-member branch of the Anglican Communion in the United States, made several decisions that are in conflict with the teachings of the wider Communion. Most significantly, it consented to the election of an openly practicing homosexual to become the Bishop of New Hampshire, and approved the use of rites for blessing same-sex unions.
Read moreNo more. When the prudent son of the manse was a student, the Kirk had 1.34 million members. The current membership is less than half that. More worrying for the Church of Scotland's future, only 7,500 babies were christened last year, 500 fewer than the year before. Not all of those will go on to become actively involved, but this is the pool from which recruits are drawn.
Read moreI now believe that all Incumbents in the Diocese of Brisbane should worry about the security of their tenure in the light of this action; if they are wise, they will move in the Diocesan Synod to repeal the Benefices Avoidance Canon on the basis that it is unjust legislation, compared with, for example, the Tribunal Canon, and can be so easily used in such a way as to deny Incumbents natural justice.
Read moreFor centuries, Christianity has been primarily a white, European and
North American religion. But the explosive growth of Africa and Asia,
combined with the success of evangelization there, will change that
forever.
By 2050, it's expected that only one in five Christians worldwide
will be white. And places like St. Joseph's a regular parish in an
unremarkable Nigerian town ? will be the Christian mainstream.
Mr Price, 53, formerly a development officer with a DIY chain, has also faced criticism over plans to replace pews with flexible seating. He has been accused of failing to support the organist, choir, and youth orchestra at the Victorian Gothic-style church, built from pink sandstone and dedicated in 1871.
Read moreThe Rev. Robert Placer of the Philadelphia area is Stoddart's teammate in the effort. He will lead the fellowship, which is mainly a ministry to the unchurched. About 20 people have shown interest so far.
Stoddart says conservative Episcopalians may be drawn to the fellowship, too, if they are disappointed over the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire, consecrated in 2003.
Read moreHoward opened the convention with a sermon that called for reconciliation between the diocese and those theological conservatives who demand the Episcopal Church repent for its actions.
"We may disagree and have heated conversations, but I insist we remain engaged ... and never, ever leave the table to which God has called us," Howard said.
Read more"I am pretty close to the edge. I know about the black dog. I also know that you can't let it get on your back because it will bring you down," he revealed in a remarkably candid interview.
Although Dr Hollingworth resigned, he has denied being involved in the cover-up in Brisbane. In fact, he now believes that his downfall was due to a 'powerful secular culture', which could not tolerate the religious in the public square.
Read more"I pray we will conduct ourselves in a Christian manner, full of grace, but the issues are the most important and significant that have come before the convention for a long, long time," said the Rev. Jim McCaslin, rector of All Souls Church in Mandarin.
Read more