Members of the Anglican–Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) have agreed the first statement of the current phase of its work to examine "the Church as Communion, local and universal".
The text of 'Walking Together on the Way: Learning to be Church – Local, Regional, Universal' was decided upon after an extensive process of redrafting over twelve months.
The Commission met at the St Ursula Educational and Catechetical Centre of the Diocese of Erfurt. The Centre is on a site which has been home to communities of consecrated life for over 800 years.
Erfurt is a significant city in the life of Martin Luther. It was here that he studied, decided to enter the Augustinian order, made his vows and was ordained.
ARCIC says the meeting marks "a considerable step forward in their efforts to examine the structures by which Catholics and Anglicans order and maintain communion at the local, regional and universal level."
They also say it "examines common theological principles that Anglicans and Catholics share, and the differentiated structures, based on these principles, by which they make decisions."
The statement says "it is also predicated on the belief that in our dialogue partner we meet a community in which the Holy Spirit is alive and active.
"We can therefore ask firstly, where our communities are in need of reform, and, secondly, what we can learn from the our dialogue partner to help us in this growth. The Commission described this process as 'receptive learning'."
The text prepares the way for the next ARCIC statement on the second part of its mandate, "how in communion the local and universal Church comes to discern right ethical teaching."
Informal Talks are due to be held in October to help guide the next phase of the work of ARCIC III, building on what they hope will become known as "The Erfurt Document".
The published text is expected to be available in 2018.