Seattle, USA - After decades of bickering, an international ecumenical body devoted to bridging the gulf between the Anglican and Catholic churches has reached a historic agreement about the role of Mary, Mother of Jesus: she is the Lord's handmaiden and sinless, but not the source of eternal salvation.
The committee of 18 bishops, clergy, religious and laypeople from 10 countries has found common ground in reconciling the place of Mary in Christian devotion, a critical issue of disagreement between the faiths.
In a long-awaited statement, issued in Seattle early today Sydney time, the committee says certain papal teachings governing the Assumption - Mary's ascension to heaven "body and soul" - and the Immaculate Conception - Mary's state of original sinlessness - can be seen as consistent with scriptural teachings.
Mary is Christ's foremost disciple, with a distinctive place in the history of salvation. She is the mother of God incarnate, a model of holiness, faith and obedience for all Christians and a prophetic figure of the church.
But while she can be asked to pray for us she is not a way to salvation in her own right, according to the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, whose agreement, Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ, represents the first international bilateral dialogue between the two churches on this contentious aspect of Christian devotion. Historically, Anglicans have seen Mary as an inspiration and disciple but say Catholics excessively exalt Mary's role and powers, giving her an honour they say is Christ's alone.
The commission has sought to reconcile the portrayal of Mary in the scriptures with ancient Christian traditions that saw her evolve as God-bearer and a worker of miracles and gave rise to feast days, and with that of the Reformation of the 16th century, which aimed to reduce her influence. It says the practice of asking Mary and the saints to intercede does not divide churches.
However, it stops short of endorsing "private revelations", the most famous of which are the apparitions at Fatima, in Portugal, and Lourdes, in France.
Devotional expression enriches worship of God and should be respected provided it does not undermine the pre-eminent place of Jesus in the church and is not compulsory. "The crowds gathering at some places where Mary is believed to have appeared suggest that such apparitions are an important part of this devotion and provide spiritual comfort," it says.
"We agree that doctrine and devotion which focuses on Mary … must be moderated by carefully expressed norms which ensure the unique and central place of Jesus Christ in the … church and that Christ alone together with the Father and the Holy Spirit is to be worshipped in the church."
The commission's findings appear consistent with Catholic teachings and practices but may departs from some of the emphases of Pope John Paul II, who encouraged devotion to Mary
The commission admits the agreement does not resolve all differences, and there remains lingering questions about the authority and force of papal dogma and its relevance to scriptural teaching.
The dialogue was officially sponsored by the Anglican Consultative Council and by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity but is not binding.
The retired Australian Anglican Primate, Dr Peter Carnley, who co-chaired the commission, hopes it will be a starting point for reconciliation.
"We are breaking new ground, and I hope, myself, it will trigger quite a lot of interest because its a popular topic and people in the pews are conscious of the difference in approach," he said.