Porvoo Communion
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| Porvoo Communion | |
|---|---|
| Name | Porvoo Communion |
| Type | Communion |
| Founded date | 1992 |
| Associations | Anglican Communion, Lutheran World Federation |
| Area | Northern Europe, United Kingdom |
Porvoo Communion is a communion of Episcopal and Lutheran churches in Northern Europe and the United Kingdom, including the Church of England, Church of Ireland, Scottish Episcopal Church, Church in Wales, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania. The communion was established in 1992 with the signing of the Porvoo Communion Agreement by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, and the Bishop of Turku, John Vikström. This agreement allowed for the full communion of the participating churches, enabling them to share in the Eucharist and exchange clergy. The Porvoo Communion is also in close relationship with the Lutheran World Federation and the Anglican Communion, with churches such as the Church of Sweden and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark.
Introduction
The Porvoo Communion is a significant example of ecumenism in Europe, bringing together churches from the Lutheran and Anglican traditions. The communion is named after the city of Porvoo, Finland, where the agreement was signed in 1992. The Porvoo Communion Agreement was the result of years of dialogue and negotiation between the participating churches, including the Church of England, Church of Ireland, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The agreement has enabled the churches to work together more closely, sharing in mission and ministry, and has paved the way for further ecumenical cooperation in Europe. The Porvoo Communion has also been influenced by the Meissen Agreement between the Church of England and the Evangelical Church in Germany, as well as the Reuilly Agreement between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
History
The history of the Porvoo Communion dates back to the 1980s, when the Church of England and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland began exploring the possibility of full communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, played a key role in the negotiations, as did the Bishop of Turku, John Vikström. The Porvoo Communion Agreement was signed in 1992, and has since been ratified by the participating churches. The communion has been influenced by the Lambeth Conference and the Lutheran World Federation, and has also been shaped by the European Ecumenical Movement. The Porvoo Communion has also been in dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, particularly through the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission and the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity.
Member Churches
The Porvoo Communion consists of several member churches, including the Church of England, Church of Ireland, Scottish Episcopal Church, Church in Wales, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania. These churches are all in full communion with each other, and share in the Eucharist and exchange clergy. The member churches are also in close relationship with other churches in the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran World Federation, such as the Church of Sweden and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark. The Porvoo Communion has also been in dialogue with the Orthodox Church in Finland and the Baltic Methodist Church.
Theology and Practice
The Porvoo Communion is characterized by a shared commitment to the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, as well as a common understanding of the Eucharist and the ministry. The communion has also been shaped by the Lutheran and Anglican traditions, with a strong emphasis on scripture, tradition, and reason. The member churches of the Porvoo Communion share in a common liturgy and worship, and have developed a range of shared resources and materials, including the Porvoo Common Statement. The communion has also been influenced by the World Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches.
Organization and Governance
The Porvoo Communion is governed by a Contact Group, which consists of representatives from each of the member churches. The Contact Group meets regularly to discuss matters of common concern and to coordinate the work of the communion. The Porvoo Communion also has a number of working groups and committees, which focus on specific areas such as theology, mission, and communication. The communion is also in close relationship with other ecumenical organizations, such as the Lutheran World Federation and the Anglican Communion, and has been influenced by the European Ecumenical Movement.
Relations with Other Churches
The Porvoo Communion is in close relationship with a number of other churches and ecumenical organizations, including the Lutheran World Federation, the Anglican Communion, and the World Council of Churches. The communion has also been in dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, particularly through the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission and the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity. The Porvoo Communion has also been influenced by the Meissen Agreement and the Reuilly Agreement, and has been in dialogue with the Orthodox Church in Finland and the Baltic Methodist Church. The communion is committed to continuing the journey of ecumenism and to working towards greater unity and cooperation between churches in Europe and beyond, including the Church of Sweden, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark, and the Evangelical Church in Germany.