SHARING ECUMENICAL WISDOM: LESSONS FROM ANGLICAN-ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMUNIO ECCLESIOLOGY

Abstract

Is ecumenical dialogue capable of transforming the communal selfunderstanding of churches? Another way of putting it is to enquire if transformational experiences from ecumenical dialogue can help churches in their internal reforms and renewal of identity. The understanding here is that ecumenical reflections on ecclesiology are very critical for the goal of unity and also for the mutual accountability that theology should offer to ecumenism. This article, therefore, attempts to answer this question of ecclesial self-understanding by focusing on the lessons that emerge ‘from’ the communio ecclesiology of the international Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue. Additionally, it considers the lessons that emerge ‘for’ ecclesial transformation, exploring useful insights on how ecclesial communities could be positively equipped through such dialogical encounters for the purposes of internal reform and renewal.