Description
This book is a collection of essays by the Australian Roman Catholic Bishop Michael Putney on the topic of ecumenism. The essays date from 1991 through to 2009 and are taken from papers and articles that he has written. The book’s introduction outlines Bishop Michael’s involvement in ecumenical affairs from his early seminary days, right through to as a Bishop in his international involvement with bodies such as the World Council of Churches and later as a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The book has chapters on relations with the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, the Methodist, as well as the Jewish faith. It also examines some key themes and issues in ecumenism: the papacy, baptism, and justification. The book includes a Foreword written by theological friend and colleague from the International Methodist-Roman Catholic dialogue, the Revd Geoffrey Wainwright of Duke University, USA. ‘My acquaintance with Bishop Michael Putney springs from our common participation in the Joint Commission for Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the Roman Catholic Church. In our doctrinal discussions and reflections Bishop Putney has consistently demonstrated intellectual acumen; he embodied a constant pastoral concern for our Commission’s anticipated results in the longer term; and he paid a careful practical attention to the working procedures of our group.’ The Revd Geoffrey Wainwright, Dr Theol, DD Cushman Professor Emeritus of Christian Theology The Divinity School, Duke University
