Belgian ARC Activities: 1967-2022

Author/editor(s): Belgian ARC
Creation: 9 Nov. 2022 (The date of original creation or publication, if known)

Persistent link: https://iarccum.org/doc/1521 (Please use this permanent URL in your publications and bookmarks to link to this document. The files linked below may be modified, but this record will remain at this location.)

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A report on activities of the Belgian ARC since 1967. The text consists of an earlier report submitted as part of the IARCCUM Survey in 2012. Updates to the report consist of further information from 2013 to 2022. The report was received by email from Rev. Canon John Wilkinson, Associate Chaplain & Canon Pastor at Holy Trinity ProCathedral in Brussels and the Anglican cochair of the dialogue.



Archival formats and locations:

BELGIAN ARCActivities : 19672022

1967

Introduction to the National Commission for Ecumenism in Belgium
List of ecumenical activities for each diocese for the Week of Prayer for Unity.
Meetings are planned to be held at St Gertrude Abbey in Leuven. Initially they were to be attended by RC (Roman Catholic) members only. Then the Anglican members of the Working Group joined the RC members.
There are already twinnings between Anglican and RC religious communities.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Malines Conversations; meeting between Cardinal J. Suenens and Archbishop M. Ramsey.
The decision was made to create specialised commissions, including the subcommission for relations with the Anglicans.

1968

First meetings on 11th May1968/ 15th June 1968 at St Gertrude Abbey Leuven (Chairman : Canon Dessain)
Prayer for the Lambeth Conference; several conferences were organised by the Anglican parish of Holy Trinity.
Interest in the unity procedure between Anglicans and Methodists.
The decision was made to have common meetings with the Anglican partners. Their frequency was fixed at once per quarter.
A project to have a common Liturgy of the Word to be used for mixed marriages.
An appeal to newspapers to publish an article on the work carried out by the Working Group.
Discussion about communion in mixed marriages.
Study of the report of the Lambeth Conference.

1969

Recommendations to the bishops about the celebration of mixed marriages
Discussion about Baptism and InterCommunion.
Trip to York to reinforce the link between York and the Diocese of MalinesBrussels
Questions relating to parish attendance by mixed couples .
Drafting a text for the mutual recognition of Baptism.
RC members met together just before joining the Anglican partners.

1970

Writing a text on intercommunion for Anglican and RC families.
Proposal to offer the episcopal ring to the newly appointed Anglican bishop for Europe
Study of the pastoral notes of the Belgian, Dutch, British episcopal conferences about the motuproprio of mixed marriages.

1971

Questions about how Christians can be made aware of the necessity to seek unity.
Conducting a survey about the knowledge of Anglicanism and the RC Church.
Proposal to create a parish « without borders », a group of both Anglican and RC Christians, who wouldpracticeunity in the concrete meaning of the word : same liturgies, bilateral eucharistic hospitality.
Study : the document about the Windsor Agreement (concerning the Eucharist)
Decision to merge the SubCommission and Belgian ARC.
Focus on the groups mission
Meeting of the Working Group for Western Europe and its recommendations. The aim was to formulate a common declaration of the Christian message, to reach a unity which respects the diversity, to inform the people of God about the progress towards unity and to ensure the circulation of information. There were three meetings for Western Europe.

1972

Mutual recognition of baptism, Anglicans agreed in June 1972.
Study : the importance of the Windsor Agreement
Suggesting a twinning between York and MalinesBrussels.
How to mobilise thegrassroots
Inviting the Anglicans to take part in the RC Eucharist.
Studying the documentWhat do Anglicans bring to the European Church context?”
Study: “the meaning of a joint eucharistic celebration.”
Conference : Muddimanthe challenge of the RCAnglican dialogue (Tillard)
Reaction to the RC directive on eucharistic hospitality.

1973

Urgent appeal from the subcommission about the eucharistic hospitality for Anglicans in Belgium.
Mission of ARCIC
Conference : Dr ThompsonCooperation between Anglicans and RCs
Study : Charismatic renewal and the ecumenical movement
European Meeting of the Working Group in Salamanca.
Mixed reception of the Roman document Mysterium Ecclesiae
Receipt of the Canterbury document about Ministry and Ordination

1974

Reaction to the Declaration on Ministry
Study of and reaction to the ARCIC documents
Resuming the subject of the ordination of women.

1975

Appointment of Fr. P. Parré as president of the subcommission, replacing Canon Dessain. Study : Authority in the Church.
Preparation of the Malines Conversations : Cardinal Mercier, Abbé Portal, Lord Halifax and study of the texts.
Reaction to the ordination of women (an opinion requested by Christopher Hill)
Sharing information on local problems and finding solutions.

1976

Study : ARCIC texts about authority, the eucharist, and communicating the reports about these documents.
Study : ecumenical cooperation at the regional, local and national level (document from the Secretariat for Unity)
Meeting of the Working Group for Western Europe (Study of the ARCIC documents).

1977

Study: the Venice Declaration (1975)
Christopher Hills comments on Authority

1978

Studying the reaction of the general synod of the Anglican Church to the Common Declaration on the Authority in the Church
Press Conference on the present day position of the RC Church (Authority)
May 20 : celebration in Malines of 10th Anniversary ARCIC

1979

Study: resolutions for Lambeth 1978
Visit to Canterbury
Mixed group in Antwerp: drafting a document on mixed marriages
Mixed group in Brussels : study of the Elucidations
Evaluation of textbooks (what they say about the different Christian denominations)

1980

Writing a brochure for interdenominational marriages
Christopher Hill on Elucidations
Establishing the Episcopalian Church in Waterloo

1981

Conference: Suzanne Martineau and her ecumenical experience
Study : English mystics of 14th century (Paul Symonds)
Founding the new Anglican Diocese of Europe (and Gibraltar)
The English parish of Holy Trintiy becomes ProCathedral
Writing the brochure about interdenominational marriages

1982

Study : aspects of authority in the RC Church
Anglican Franciscan spirituality
Visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury (R. Runcie) to Cardinal Danneels
Disappointment after receiving the ARCIC documents by the CDF
Study : Lent conferences at Westminster Abbey
News about twinnings (e.g. Bury St Edmunds/Ipswich and Hasselt)
Research to broaden the relationships between York and MalinesBrussels
Retreat at Drongen (Canon Coussmaker)
Drafting two notes :Anglican / RC marriages for pastoral leaders and for engaged couples

1983

Publication of the final ARCIC report
Study of the reactions to the Final Report (including that of the CDF)
Testimony of Mary Moore about the ordination of women
Retreat : Brother Angelo (Anglican Franciscan)
Retreat : Canon Coussmaker on the Church
Twinning :Parish of Sacré Coeur in Etterbeek with the Good Shepherd in Cambridge 1984

Conference : J. Lewis and the charismatic movement and ecumenism
Canon Greenacre : Anglican identity and ecumenical dialogue
Leaflet on mixed mariages 1985

Retreat : Ray Collins
Meeting with a European Union official, Mr Kinch
Conversation with P. de Fleurquin about the Papacy and its role in the RC Church
Study : BEM

1986

Study : New Evangelisation
Meeting with Canon Hanson and Prof. Boudens
Meeting of the Western Europe Working Group
Study : Reception and Tradition
Several common meetings with the Protestants

1987

Study: Church and Salvation
Study: E. de Waal, Seeking God

1988

Meeting devoted to the different patterns in the Church
Retreat : F. G. Hahneman and Fr. Parré
Meetings with the Protestants

1989

Study : M.RamseyBe still and know
Study: Episcopacy
Response of the Belgian bishops to the Eucharist document

1990

Retreat : Bishop Krumm (Episcopalians about the Episcopacy)
Study : Authority in the Church and Origin of the Episcopacy + RC Authority
Meeting of the twinned parishes
Welcoming the new Episcopalian priest : Fr. Atcheson

1991

Retreat: R. ChristianFranciscan Spirituality
Study : The conversion of the churches (Group of the Dombes)
Meeting in Antwerp : evaluation of the ecumenical work
Meeting of the 3 ARCs (French, British and Belgian) in Condette
Preparation of the study days with Canon J. Halliburton

1992

Study weekend: Anglicanism today
Retreat in Antwerp: Canon Mitchell, Lincoln
Study of the interreligious dialogue (Panikar)
Meeting with Christopher Hill (Anglican/RC relations today and tomorrow)

1993

Weekend with Canon John Halliburtonthe episcopacy
Study : Ian KerNewman and the Fullness of Christianity
Preparing the three ARCs meeting (reaction to the Final Report)

1994

Retreat : David Mole (new Anglican Chairman) – Spiritual Ecumenism (Acceptance, Fellowship, Mission, Maturity)
Preparing the three ARCs meeting in London (Reaction to Life in Christ ARCIC II)
Study : Life in Christ

1995

Weekend: J. Famerée: local and universal Church
Preparing the anniversary of the Malines Conversations
Short meeting of the three ARCs (the different situations)
Study : M. RamseyThe Gospel and the Catholic Church
Meeting with Bishop Hind in Antwerp

1996

Conference by Dr William Croft about Porvoo
Retreat : Fr. OKeeffeThe Voice of Christ in the Psalms
Meeting in Antwerp : ecumenical activities in Belgium and Great Britain and echoes from the Graz Conference
Study : Exercising authority in the RC Church
Reflections on the articles about the Malines Conversations
New RC CoChair : Mrs Christiane Davisters

1997

Weekend : Bishop BakerThe Faith of a Christian (Affligem)
Meeting in Antwerp : preparing a Belgian ARC reaction to Ut Unum Sint

1998

New Anglican partner : Clair Ullmann
Report about the Lambeth Conference (F. Thaddee Barnas, Chèvetogne)
Meeting in Antwerp : D. Van Leeuwen + twinnings in Europe (Rev. R. Blount)
Common Belgian ARC reaction to Ut Unum Sint
Study : The Gift of Authority

1999

Study : The Gift of Authority
Meeting of the three ARCs in Bruges : R. Blount (twinnings), Canon A. Denaux and N. Sagovsky (ARCIC)
Weekend at Affligem : Gareth Moore3 chapters from Genesis
Another weekend : Jonathan GoodallDesert (Patristic)
Reactions to Dominus Jesus

2000

New Anglican partner : Canon Dirk Van Leeuwen
Study : The Gift of Authority
Meeting in Antwerp : Alpha courses

2001

Study : The Gift of Authority

2002

Study : The Gift of Authority
Discussion about the Encyclical on the Eucharist

2003

Study : Cardinal Kasper : A Vision of Christian Unity for the next generation
Meeting with Bishop Whalon (Episcopalian)

2004

Meeting of the three ARCs in Lille: Bishop G. Rowellthe Net was not Broken

2005

New Anglican Chairman : Rev. Paul Yiend
Study : Mary, Grace and Hope in Christ (ARCIC)

2006

Study: Mary, Grace and Hope in Christi (ARCIC)
Death of Fr. P. Parré (former Belgian RC CoChair)

2007

Study : Mary, Grace and Hope in Christ (ARCIC)
Reaction to the RC CDF about some aspects of the Doctrine of the Church
Nature and mission of the Church
Sharing with P. Yiend : new missiology in England
Death of Paul Francis (longtime host of the Belgian ARC in Brussels)

2008

End of study document on Mary (ARCIC)
Study : Growing Together in Unity and Mission

2009

New member of Belgian ARC : R. Clifford Owen (CofE)
Study : Growing Together in Unity and Mission
Reaction to the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus

20102011

Reading : Growing Together in Unity and Mission
Meeting with F. Gallagley (RC Parish in Kraainem)
Document: the Anglican Covenant
Discussion about collegiality in the RC Church + tension between the universal and the local church

20112012

Comments : Growing Together in Unity and Mission
Study : The Anglican Covenant
Rev. Clifford Owen left Belgium
Next topic for our ecumenical meetings : Receptive Ecumenism Twinnings of Frenchspeaking RC parishes and Anglican parishes in Great Britain. One meeting every year till 2010. In 2012 the twinning between the Parish of Chant dOiseau in Brussels and Little St Marys in Cambridge was still active. The twinning experience between parishes gave the opportunity of meeting in a deep spiritual and friendly atmosphere. Sometimes the twinning experience also gave the opportunity of meeting other parishes in Britain. The twinning experience was used as a bridge to meet other ecclesial communities. Twinnings of Dutchspeaking parishes with parishes in Great Britain (still active) Bruges and Lincoln and the RC Parishes of Nottinghamreports by Rev. H. Laridon, Diocese of Bruges For more than 30 years the Belgian ARC group published a news bulletin about events (local, regional and world events dealing with ecumenical news and with twinning experiences as well as with conferences and inter ecclesial meetings in Belgium)

20122013

The survey of the Belgian ARC activities (19672012) was sent to IARCCUM
Two twinnings still active : Chant dOiseau in Woluwe St Pierre and Little St Marys in Cambridge, and BrugesLincoln
Discussion and elucidations about Receptive Ecumenism
Creation of a group (English and Belgian members) to commemorate the centenary of the death of Edith Cavell (BECCG) in 2015

20132014

Welcoming new members to the Belgian ARC group : Mrs Birte Day, Mr Graham Keen and Canon Adelbert Denaux (former member of ARCIC)
The work of BECCG
End of the twinning between Chant dOiseau and Little St Marys
Ecumenical presence at Lambeth Palace (Chemin Neuf community)
Canon Adelbert Denaux about the work of ARCIC since the end of Vatican II. Receiving the documents is vital to progress on the ecumenical road. Work of ARCIC III.
Discussion about a potential survey by the Belgian ARC on Receptive Ecumenism. This survey did not give valid results because there were not many responses.

20142015

We tried to find a new way to question people about Receptive Ecumenism
Twinning: LincolnBruges: several meetings and activities, incl. a Remembrance Service (cf activities of the diocese of Bruges)
Tribute at Chant dOiseau to all the people who devoted time and ecumenical passion to the twinning.
BECCG : numerous activities planned
Couse about Ecumenism in Ghent (Rev. S. Murray)

20152016

BECCG : the different events around October 2015
Birte Days contribution to the Ecumenical Assembly in Belgium
The contribution of Canon A. Denaux in publishing the document ARCIC II
Trying to plan a new three ARCs meeting

20162017

Death of Mrs Elizabeth Loze Fraser who, with her husband, was a pioneer of ecumenical life in Belgium
Contribution of N. Sagovsky (ARCIC member) at the National Assembly for Ecumenism in Belgium
Fr. Henk Laridon (Bruges) sharing his experiences of twinning
The place and work of the International Ecumenical Fellowship
Prayer walks (Thy Kingdom Come)
Presentation of the final report of ARCIC II

20172018

In 2017 Mrs Christiane Davisters (RC CoChair) and Rev. Paul Yiend (COE) asked for their mission to be handed over to other people. The mission of the Belgian ARC is now in the hands of cochairs Fr.Kurt Priem (Diocese of Bruges) and Rev. John Wilkinson (Diocese of Europe and Gibraltar)
Comments by Canon Adelbert Denaux about ARCIC II
International activities were dealt with, incl. Thy Kingdom Come and the future of the Anglican Centre in Rome.
Discussion about the future of our News Bulletin

20182019

The Belgian ARC closely followed local initiatives for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Thy Kingdom Come.
Fr.Kurt Priem accompanied the Bishop of Bruges, Lode Aerts, in November 2018 to Lincoln (UK), where he held a sermon in the Cathedral; the Diocese of Bruges has a ecumenical link with the Dicoeses of Lincoln (CofE) and Nottingham (RC) since 1979.

20192020

Fr.Kurt Priem had to cancel a sermon in Lincoln Cathedral (UK) during the Week of Christian Unity due to surgery.
A meeting was held with Danny Herremans at the Interdiocesan Center in Brussels to set up a blog to replace the News Bulletin, but preparations were halted because of Covid.
Regular meetings of the Belgian ARC were suspended because of Covid.

20202021

Because of Covid and the long illness of one member, Alain Coppieters, no regular meetings of the Belgian ARC were held. Instead there were two onlinemeetings.
Preparations for the blog of the Belgian ARC and other planned initiatives (e.g. the Centenary of the Malines Conversations) were also suspended because of Covid.

20212022

Regular meetings of the Belgian ARC were resumed in October 2021 with the participation of an intern of Holy Trinity, Teus Vermeer.
Both CoChairs of the Belgian ARC took part in a meeting of EWARC in York (November 2021) with representatives of the English and Welsh ARC and visited York Minster.
A limited part of the programmy for the Centenary of the Malines Conversations was held online in December 2021 because of Covid.
Alain Coppieters died in January 2022.
A member of the Belgian ARC, Birte Day, attended an ecumenical meeting about monastic life in Bury St.Edmunds (UK) in May 2022; this topic was also discussed in several meetings of the Belgian ARC.