Ecumenism of the Cross

A tragic on Wednesday afternoon this week killed at least 4 persons in buildings belonging to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid parish of the Virgen de la Paloma in the heart of the Spanish capital. One priest was among those who died. The building was close to a school, where, due to the snow, the children were not in the playground, or else there would likely have been further tragic deaths and injuries. Reader Celia Paterson who serves in St George's Madrid, knows some of the teachers and LaSalle Brothers at the school, for she has trained them in Godly Play courses. Celia has been in contact with them.  

I also sent a message to the Cardinal Archbishop on behalf of Anglicans. In this week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we remember that we are also united in times of grief and sorrow. The International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, IARCCUM, of which I am the Anglican Co-chairman, describes what we call "the ecumenism of the Cross". 

Su Eminencia

En nombre de nuestro pueblo de la parroquia de la Iglesia de Inglaterra, St George, Madrid, deseo enviarle nuestro más sentido pésame por las muertes tras la explosión de ayer en los edificios de la parroquia de la Virgen de la Paloma. Tengo entendido que hasta el momento han muerto 4 personas, entre ellas uno de sus sacerdotes, el padre Rubén Pérez Ayala, y muchas más han sufrido heridas graves.

Ofrecemos nuestras oraciones por todos los que han muerto, para que el Señor los reciba en su paz eterna. Oramos también para que Dios ayude a los heridos y consuele a los que han perdido a sus seres queridos.

En esta Semana de Oración por la Unidad de los Cristianos, unimos nuestros corazones en solidaridad con nuestras hermanas y hermanos de su Arquidiócesis, les enviamos nuestro amor fraterno y les aseguramos nuestra oración continua.

Atentamente y fraternalmente

Mgr Mark Langham, RIP

Mgr Mark Langham at the Anglican Consultative Council, New Zealand, 2012 

Anglicans around the world, particularly those who have been closely involved in dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, join our Catholic sisters and brothers who are mourning the death of Mgr Mark Langham. Fr Mark died in hospice care early this morning after a struggle with cancer. He was the Chaplain of Fisher House, the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy at Cambridge University. Before that he worked from 2008 to 2013 at the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, where he was responsible for relations with the Anglican Communion and with the Methodists. During that time, he served as the Roman Catholic Co-Secretary of ARCIC, and also was among the official representatives of the Catholic Church at the Lambeth Conference of 2008, and at meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council.

As a dialogue partner Mark was meticulous and clear in his thinking, and had the extraordinary gift of finding common ground while honouring to the fullest his own Catholic position. So many of us remember his infectious sense of humour and often hilarious tales of life at the Vatican. He was always a convivial companion around a glass of wine or over dinner. 

In early January as he was moved to hospice care he wrote to friends, "I would ask for no fuss, or messages. I am a firm believer in the communion of saints, and it is your love and prayers that will sustain me most at this time." 

May God now receive him into the communion of the saints in light, and grant this faithful servant eternal rest.