c. 1996 Religion News Service
(RNS)-These are the major ecumenism proposals to be acted on before the end of 1997:
Nine denominations, organized into a group called the Consultation on Church Union, plan to form a Church of Christ Uniting (COCU). Highlights of the plan commit the churches to:
-Recognize each other as legitimate churches.
-Recognize each other’s baptisms and ordained ministries.
-Allow celebration of the Eucharist together.
Four of the nine churches in COCU have approved a plan to create a Church of Christ Uniting in the year 2000. They are the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (with 718,922 members); International Council of Community Churches (500,000 members); Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (958,000); and United Church of Christ (1.5 million).
In addition, one church-the Presbyterian Church (USA) (3.8 million members) gave provisional approval.
Four churches are expected to act on the proposal this year or next. They are the Episcopal Church (2.5 million); African Methodist Episcopal Church (3.5 million); African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (1.2 million); and United Methodist Church (8.6 million).
Two sets of proposals for”full communion”involving five denominations will be voted on in 1997.”Full communion”would allow clergy to preside over Holy Communion services in each other’s churches.
-One proposal would promote”full communion”between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with 5.2 million members, and the Episcopal Church, with 2.5 million members.
-The other proposal would promote”full communion”between the Evangelical Lutheran Church and each of three other groups: the Presbyterian Church (USA), the United Church of Christ and the 317,000-member Reformed Church in America.
MJP END
