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Pope warns Archbishop of 'strain' Archbishop and Pope admit strains
(about 4 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI has warned the Archbishop of Canterbury the Anglican community's difficulties had put a strain on the Churches' relationship. The Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Benedict XVI have publicly acknowledged that "serious obstacles" stand in the way of their Churches' cooperating.
Dr Rowan Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, is on his first official visit to Rome. Dr Rowan Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, is on a short visit to Rome.
It is thought the Pope was referring to the consecration of women as bishops and blessing of same sex unions, both an anathema to the Catholic Church. In a joint declaration, they said it was a matter of urgency that talks continue on issues which divide them.
He made the comments in his welcoming speech. Dr Williams is on a short tour. It comes amid concerns in the Roman Catholic Church over possible women bishops and gay Anglican bishops.
'Theological dialogue' The Common Declaration was signed by Pope Benedict and Dr Williams during a formal audience at the Vatican.
The meeting marks the 40th anniversary of the meeting between his predecessor, Dr Michael Ramsey and the late Pope Paul VI, at the Holy See. 'Arduous journey'
BBC correspondent David Willey said the Pope told the Archbishop that although the two churches had had "fruitful" dialogue since the first official contact between Lambeth Palace and the Vatican 40 years ago, there was now "uncertainty about the future of the Anglican Communion itself". "Our long journey together makes it necessary to acknowledge publicly the challenge represented by new developments which, besides being divisive for Anglicans, present serious obstacles to our ecumenical progress," it read.
The Pope and the Archbishop then issued a joint declaration, acknowledging the challenges presented by "dissent" within the Anglican Communion. "It is a matter of urgency, therefore, that ... we also commit ourselves in our continuing dialogue to address the important issues involved in the emerging ecclesiological and ethical factors making that journey more difficult and arduous."
The two men reportedly admitted that this dissent presented "serious obstacles towards re-establishing the unity of the two Churches" - shattered at the time of the Reformation, our correspondent added. The statement also called for the two churches to stand together over issues including the "pursuit of peace in the Holy Land" and the "negative effects of materialism".
But the Pope and the Archbishop said they were both committed to continuing theological dialogue. I think we need to understand each other as fellow pastors and fellow teachers in the church Dr Rowan Williams
It made a commitment to talk to other religions and "reach out to our non-Christian brothers and sisters".
The Vatican declaration comes only a few days before the Pope leaves for Turkey to address problems caused by another deep division among Christians - between Rome and the Orthodox Churches, dating back almost 1,000 years.The Vatican declaration comes only a few days before the Pope leaves for Turkey to address problems caused by another deep division among Christians - between Rome and the Orthodox Churches, dating back almost 1,000 years.
Path to unity After the formal audience, the religious leaders shared worship together at the Vatican.
The two men are expected to hold their private discussions in the papal library - where, according to Lambeth Palace, "nothing will be out of bounds". Earlier they had held a private 15-minute meeting.
Ahead of their meeting, Dr Williams is thought to have made a courtesy call on the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarchisio Bertoni. Speaking afterwards, Dr Williams said it had been a "very warm meeting" and stressed the importance of his relationship with the Pope.
He also prayed near the reputed burial place of the first Pope, the Apostle Peter in St Peters' Basilica before pausing at the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II, buried in the crypt of the Basilica. "I think if we are not able to understand where each other is coming from in terms of our thoughts about God, our thoughts about the church, our thoughts about our vocation, then really a great deal of the negotiating and the fine detail and fine tuning has been a waste of time.
The Pope and the Archbishop will also pray together in a private chapel. "I think we need to understand each other as fellow pastors and fellow teachers in the church. I think this morning is a great step towards that."
It is thought Dr Williams will spend most of Thursday inside the Vatican city. Symbolic meeting
He is also expected to give two lectures - one at the Vatican's Academy of Sciences - during his six-day tour. Dr Williams was expected to spend most of Thursday inside the Vatican city.
It is thought he will give two lectures - one at the Vatican's Academy of Sciences - during his six-day tour.
The Roman Catholic Cardinal, Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy O'Connor is thought to have accompanied Dr Williams on the visit.The Roman Catholic Cardinal, Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy O'Connor is thought to have accompanied Dr Williams on the visit.
This latest meeting was intended to mark the 40th anniversary of the meeting between their predecessors, Dr Michael Ramsey and the late Pope Paul VI, at the Holy See.
The ordination of Gene Robinson - a divorced man in an openly gay relationship - as the Bishop of New Hampshire in the US in 2003 was viewed with "concern" by the Catholic Church.The ordination of Gene Robinson - a divorced man in an openly gay relationship - as the Bishop of New Hampshire in the US in 2003 was viewed with "concern" by the Catholic Church.
When Dr Williams met the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, the Pope issued a tough warning about "new and serious" difficulties on the path to unity between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
His remarks were widely interpreted as referring to the new Bishop of New Hampshire, after which religious commentators said the Anglican Communion faced a schism.