Resources from the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue in Canada

About the dialogues

The Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches in Canada have been in bilateral dialogue for more than 50 years. The Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada (ARC Canada) began in 1971, and the ARC Bishops’ Dialogue was established in 1975. This work has addressed theological as well as pastoral questions.

Both dialogues are focused on helping Anglicans and Roman Catholics in Canada become more aware of the theological agreement shared between our churches, along with helping us to find ways to express that unity in mission together. Some expressions of that unity have included:

The dialogues have also contributed to the theological work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC).

Membership in the Canadian dialogues

The members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada are:

Anglican

  • Bishop Bruce Myers (co-chair)
  • Rev. Dr. Iain Luke
  • Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier-Gommers
  • Rev. Dr. Christopher Brittain
  • Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman (staff)

Roman Catholic

  • Archbishop Brian Dunn (co-chair)
  • Sr. Donna Geernaert
  • Mr. Julien Hammond
  • Dr. Nicholas Olkovich
  • Mr. Kyle Ferguson (staff)

Ecumenical observer

  • Rev. Cindy Halmarson (ELCIC)

The members of the ARC Bishops’ Dialogue are:

Anglican

  • Bishop Nigel Shaw (co-chair)
  • Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson
  • Bishop William Cliff
  • Bishop Leslie Wheeler-Dame
  • Bishop Kevin Robertson
  • Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman (staff)

Roman Catholic

  • Bishop Gary Gordon (co-chair)
  • Bishop Martin Laliberté
  • Bishop Jose Kalluvelil
  • Archbishop Albert LeGatt
  • Mr. Kyle Ferguson (staff)

Additional resources

  • IARCCUM.org — The most comprehensive collection of news and documents related to Anglican-Roman Catholic relations around the world, including Canada. 
  • Anglican Centre in Rome — Established in 1966, the Anglican Centre in Rome is the Anglican Communion’s permanent representation to the Holy See. A living symbol of our communion’s commitment to the full visible unity of the church, it offers courses of different kinds open to all, in which many Canadian Anglicans have participated. 
  • Growing Together in Unity and Mission (2007) — Theological reflection and practical suggestions on how Anglicans and Roman Catholics can give living expression to the unity we already share. 
  • On the Way Together: A People Created for the Common Good (1998) — A study guide prepared by the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada on the two churches’ common moral tradition 

Communiqués and meeting reports