MEDIA RELEASE
Office of the Primate
Anglican Church of Canada
Toronto, July 17, 2002
Archbishop Michael Peers, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, today welcomed the upcoming World Youth Day in Toronto, sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church and commented on its important contribution to the awareness of faith and religion.
“While the primary Anglican connection to World Youth Day is through the Diocese of Toronto, this is an event of international significance, and one that highlights the celebration of faith and spiritual life among young people. In a world that too easily overlooks matters of the spirit, this occasion creates a very public expression of such matters. I am grateful to the organizers for all their hard work, and encouraged by the participation of many Anglican congregations in providing support for this event.
“The relationship between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church is a vital one. Formal annual dialogue between Roman Catholic and Anglican bishops has existed in Canada for over twenty-five years, longer than in any other country in the world. Though it is the role of Archbishop Finlay as diocesan bishop to welcome His Holiness Pope John Paul II formally, I am glad to add my voice to the many who welcome the Pope and the participants in World Youth Day from across Canada and around the world.”
Because of a longstanding commitment away from Toronto, Archbishop Peers will not be able to participate in any of the events of World Youth Day, but a member of his staff will address one of those events on his behalf.
The Anglican Church is an active participant in ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church. A current round of that dialogue, under the auspices of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission, is now underway in Vienna, Austria.
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Rev. Dr. Michael Thompson
Principal Secretary to the Primate
416-924-9199 ext. 277
[email protected]