Archbishop of Birmingham presents Pope with icon of St Thomas of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Birmingham presented Pope Francis with an icon of St Thomas of Canterbury, during a meeting between the Holy Father and members of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC III) on Thursday.

Archbishop Bernard Longley, who is the co-chair of ARCIC III, said during his address to Pope Francis that the saint’s “self-sacrificing love of Christ is honoured and commemorated in both our traditions. His witness reminds us of all those, from many different Christian traditions, who continue to suffer for Christ today. May their ‘ecumenism of blood’ bear fruit for the peace of the world.”

Archbishop Longley began his address by saying: “Holy Father: as Co-Chairmen and Members of the Anglican – Roman Catholic International Commission we are grateful to Your Holiness for receiving us today in the course of our meeting at the Villa Palazzola in the Alban Hills. We are responding to the mandate we have received from the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church to consider the communion of the Church, local and universal, and her discernment of right ethical teaching.”

He added: “We have been encouraged in this task by the joint witness to Christ offered by yourself, Holy Father, alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Justin Welby – and especially by your common commitment to seek justice for those who suffer exploitation or neglect.”

The 18 Anglican and Catholic members of the commission, held their annual encounter last week at an ancient retreat house in the Alban hills, south of Rome. Pope Francis told them at the time that the cause of Christian unity was not an optional undertaking.