Truth and Authority - pre-Pope Visit Theological Seminar

An ecumenical exploration in recognition of Pope Benedict's visit.

Guest of honour, Rt. Rev. David Jenkins, former Bishop of Durham.

In 1983, a year after the last Papal visit, a group of British Council of Churches members of the Division of Ecumenical Affairs, with some leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain, were invited to a return visit.  We enjoyed the hospitality of most major departments of the Curia, among them a memorable conversation with the, then, Cardinal Ratzinger.

At one point in that dialogue, John Habgood, then Archbishop of York, suggested that ecumenical advance might be easier if the ‘magisterium’ could be recognised as ‘an approximation to the truth’ rather than

‘THE TRUTH’.

After moments of reflection, the Cardinal said gravely:   

‘…Unless God has disclosed himself and his truth in absolute, determinate propositions, then salvation is at risk…………..’   

As we meet for the first Papal visit since 1982, we seek to engage with that assertion shared by many others for whom the specific ‘absolute determinate proposition’ would be somewhat different.

Cost:  £120 en-suite bedroom or £90 for standard bedroom; includes coffee, lunch and dinner.