Pope Francis had a meeting with the bishops from England and Wales during their ad limina visit at the Vatican. They have been here for a week to see the pope and the Vatican Curia, and to visit the tombs of SS. Peter and Paul.
They have talked to all the dicasteries in Rome about current issues and the work they are doing back in their country.
Among the Catholic bishops was also Church of England Bishop, Christopher Foster, who had this to say when meeting Pope Francis.
“I am very honored. Thank you for receiving me. We pray for each other and for all we share.”
According to the Archbishop of Liverpool, who participated in the ad limina visit, ecumenism plays an important part between the different Churches in England and can serve as an example for others.
MALCOLM MCMAHON
Archbishop of Liverpool
“We are very ahead in our understanding of ecumenical dialogue and the way in which it can enrich our Church, that is the message in which we have received from the Second Vatican Council and from the teachings of the popes since that time.”
Recently, the Bishops of England and Wales have asked the National Catholics Commission to carry out an entirely independent and comprehensive review of their safeguarding structures. This call comes after a report, last month, that condemned the handling of abuse cases by two of Britain’s top independent Catholic schools.
MALCOLM MCMAHON
Archbishop of Liverpool
“We really want to show that we are taking them very seriously by looking again at our structures, but not by ourselves...” “Independent, thoroughly independent inquiry into the way we are doing things. So that we may respond to their needs, the needs of the victims.”
The bishops after finishing all their meetings in Rome will return back to their respective dioceses.
