"Rather than focussing primarily on doctrinal convergence, important as that is, spiritual ecumenism promotes a living dialogue that gives room for an exchange of spiritual gifts which enrich us mutually as we get to know and appreciate each other's treasures and so discover or rediscover practices and ideas that can enhance our own Christian life and ministry"
- Speech to the General Synod of the Church of England by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster

This reflection of Cardinal Cormac on the value of the ARCIC dialogue between the C.of E. and his own Roman Catholic Church, gives food for thought about what ought to be the aim and objective of our own Anglican Communion member Churches as we approach the question of our newly-proposed Covenantal relationship.

If each of our Churches of the Communion was willing to give up the idea of 'focussing primarily on doctrinal convergence - important though that is" - in order to find what we have in common, in the way of the treasures of our catholic and evangelical inheritance - then our relationship could be much more compatible than it is at this point in time.

If Rome can live with a relationship of intentional unity - based on shared Scriptures, Tradition, and our Anglican insistence on Reason, then why not the member Churches of our Communion?
Such doctrinal differences as may exist within the Churches of our Communion must surely be considered to be secondary in importance to the mission of the Gospel? Else why would Rome even consider her relationship with Anglicanism worth the bother? I am warming to Cardinal Cormac!