Catholics from parishes in the Archdiocese of Birmingham joined with members of Anglican parishes from across Worcestershire and Dudley as well as Christians from other traditions. More than 200 people looked together at four versions of the chosen scripture reading - ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ - taken from the Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and the Authorised Version or King James Bible. Dean Peter Atkinson of Worcester introduced the Archbishop of Birmingham and the Bishop of Worcester at the start of a dialogue between them on the impact of scripture on our culture and the life of our churches. During his Introductory Address, Archbishop Bernard Longley said: ‘Today, I am delighted to be sharing the platform with Bishop John here in Worcester and I am grateful for the hospitality of the Dean and Chapter to all of us. Once again we use the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible as the starting point for our study, reflection and prayer together.
‘One of the principles of ecumenical commitment is that we try to offer and receive from each other the gifts that are particular to our traditions. One of the gifts that we receive as Roman Catholics from Anglicans is the long experience of liturgical prayer making use of the Scriptures in the vernacular. ‘For over four hundred years the Church of England has used a liturgy where the Scriptures have been read aloud in English and where English prayers have reflected biblical themes and incorporated biblical phrases so that they imbue the liturgical life of the people and clergy together.
‘Today’s generation of Catholics is also used to a pattern of worship where the Scriptures are read in our own tongue and where the prayers reflect biblical themes which run through the liturgical seasons. But we remember that it is only comparatively recently that this became a regular and central part of our worship and devotional life.’ Archbishop Bernard Longley concluded: ‘Today’s reflection on the Road to Emmaus is like a joint pilgrimage for us as Christians studying, praying and witnessing together. ‘As Bishop John and I offer different but complementary approaches to this moment of encounter with the risen Lord we are also drawn closer to him and therefore to each other. I hope and pray that, as we try to witness together as bishops, so we may all be drawn one step closer to the unity of the Church for which our Lord prayed.’
After coffee, Archbishop Longley gave his bible study on the theme ‘The Road to Emmaus - an Ignatian Approach’ during which he spoke about some of the characteristics of Ignatian Spirituality. After the two bishops had spoken those attending were then split into small groups to study the bible passage using a prayerful approach known as Lectio Divina. Following the Bible study there was a period of reflective worship after which many of those taking part shared in a picnic lunch together in the Chapter House and outside on College Green.
Asked for his thought about the joint Bible study day, Archbishop Bernard Longley said: ‘It has been a great experience to gather, pray and reflect together on the Word of God in the uplifting and historic setting of Worcester Cathedral.’ The Archbishop of Birmingham added: ‘I am grateful that this occasion drew wide support from within the Catholic and Anglican parishes of Worcestershire and from many other Christian traditions. It is important for us to demonstrate as bishops that we value the real though partial communion we already enjoy.’ Bishop John Inge said: ‘Saturday was a wonderfully encouraging event. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with Archbishop Bernard to enable people to engage with the scriptures.’ The Anglican Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south-east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.
