Anglican Bishop Visits Vatican to Discuss Church of Taiwan and Ecumenical Collaboration

Bishop Sarah Mullally of the Anglican Communion embarked on a four-day pilgrimage to Rome, beginning on April 25. Her visit included a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican Palace on April 27, where both parties engaged in prayer and dialogue. The meeting aimed to strengthen the relationship between the Anglican and Catholic Churches, fostering a shared witness and encouraging ongoing collaboration among global Christian communities.

Mullally reflected on the significance of her visit, noting that she was following in the footsteps of her predecessors. She expressed gratitude for the Anglican Church’s sustained dialogue and cooperation with the Catholic Church over the past six decades. During her time in Rome, she also expressed hope for learning how believers and pastoral leaders could support the needs of the city’s most vulnerable populations.

Pope Francis emphasized the importance of unity among Christians, urging both Churches to continue their mission of proclaiming Christ despite differences. He highlighted the challenges they face, including division and social unrest, and stressed the necessity of working together to overcome these obstacles. The meeting took place during Easter, a time that reminded Pope Francis of the historic encounter between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey 60 years earlier.

The Pope called for continued prayer and friendship between the two Churches, urging them to seek God’s will and strive for the unity of all disciples. He acknowledged the difficulties in resolving differences but emphasized the shared responsibility to overcome them. Both leaders expressed a commitment to guiding their communities with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom.

Mullally spoke of the essential role of hope in Christian faith, especially in the face of violence, division, and social unrest. She emphasized the value of every human life and the importance of treating one another with dignity. She urged collaboration for the common good, advocating for the building of bridges rather than walls. The Bishop also thanked Pope Francis for his prayers for peace and justice, and for the lives entrusted to him by God.

Mullally believed that Christ calls all people to move forward, even when the path is long. Her visit underscored the shared mission of the Anglican and Catholic Churches to serve humanity with compassion and to work toward a more just and united world.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Mandarin Chinese)