Bilateral dialogues of the Canadian churches

Anglican-Evangelical Lutheran

The Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) have been in full communion since 2001. This means that while each church maintains its own autonomy, it also fully recognizes the catholicity and apostolicity of the other. In practical terms, this means that Anglicans and Lutherans in Canada can share the Eucharist together, use each other’s liturgies, and participate in each other’s ordinations. Anglican and Lutheran clergy may also serve interchangeably in either church. The Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission (JALC) is a group of individuals from each church who meet twice yearly to explore ways our two churches can work even more closely together in full communion. One example of this growing cooperation is the 2013 Anglican-Lutheran Joint Assembly.

Anglican-Mennonite

Having met for the first time in early 2018, the Anglican-Mennonite dialogue is still young and finding its legs. However, it promises to be a very vibrant forum for growth in relationship and partnership between these two historic traditions that have both always defined themselves as “bridge churches” across the major lines of historic Christian division.

Anglican-Roman Catholic

Inspired by the new ecumenical openness expressed by the Second Vatican Council, official theological dialogue between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Roman Catholic Church in this country (under the aegis of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) began in 1971. Four years later, a second bilateral dialogue was established between Canadian Anglican and Roman Catholic bishops. Both churches remain committed to the two dialogues.

Anglican-Roman Catholic Bishops

In Canada, Anglican and Roman Catholic and Eastern Rite Catholic bishops have met, usually annually, since 1975. The meeting is an occasion for prayer, worship, Bible study, and discussion of issues of mutual concern. The bishops’ meetings are often informed by, and contribute to, an Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue composed of theologians, pastors, laity and bishops which meets more frequently.

Anglican-United Church

Since its foundation in 1925, the United Church of Canada has worked in partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada. A number of local congregations of Anglicans and United Church people are a part of ecumenical shared ministries, and many of our ordained leaders train together in ecumenical schools of theology. At the national level, our two churches work together in ecumenical justice and advocacy initiatives.

Confessional Lutheran-Anglican

Lutheran-Reformed: ELCIC, CRC, PCC, UCC

Lutheran: LCC, LCMS, & NALC

Orthodox-Catholic

Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic

The Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) was founded in 1897 as a result of a series of administrative disputes between Polish-American Catholic parishes and local Catholic (German and Irish) bishops of the time. The PNCC was a member of the Old Catholic Union of Utrecht since 1907 but broke with them in 1996 after Old Catholic Churches in Germany and Austria ordained women priests. In 1998, the Canadian Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church became an autonomous Church, assuming responsibility for its own administrative affairs.

Presbyterian-Christian Reformed

Roman Catholic-Christian Reformed

Roman Catholic-Evangelical

Roman Catholic-Evangelical Lutheran

Dialogue between the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) was initiated in December 1986. From the beginning, one of the goals of this national dialogue has been to support regional ecumenical formation. This goal is reflected in the appointment of dialogue partners from each of the areas in which the five Lutheran synods are located (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario/Quebec/Atlantic). This arrangement enabled participants to work together in planning local events and to share ideas in a dialogue setting.

Roman Catholic-Lutheran Church Canada

The Lutheran Church Canada-Roman Catholic dialogue was formed in the fall of 2013. The dialogue meets twice a year. In 2014, it was agreed that this dialogue committee would focus on four topics: Justification, the Eucharist, Ministry, as well as Scripture and Tradition. The group would then specialize in an area in need of further exploration. The dialogue also gave consideration of ways to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.

Roman Catholic-United Church

The Roman Catholic-United Church Dialogue was established in 1975. The purpose of the dialogue is to foster mutual understanding and Christian unity. Members of the group explore cultural attitudes as well as theological and doctrinal issues. The dialogue meets twice a year to discuss issues of common concern to our two denominations. This provides a unique forum for members of our churches to share our perspectives, even on controversial themes. The group has engaged in dialogue on such diverse topics as the two churches’ positions on abortion; the role and exercise of authority in the church; the meaning of evangelism/evangelization in the two churches; formulae for use at baptism; sin, reconciliation, and ecclesial identity; marriage; and climate change and the theology of creation.

Ukrainian bishops