ESBVM

The Society has established itself in promoting ecumenical Marian activity over four decades through organising international congresses, national conferences and pilgrimages, arranging publication of theological papers and liturgical material as well as other activities through a network of local branches. This has been achieved through a dedicated membership drawn from across the main Christian traditions.

The Society’s existence precedes the current national ecumenical instruments by twenty years and could be regarded as an ecumenical pioneer in an area considered by many to be an obstacle to Christian unity. Although having had an independent existence with no formal links to any other ecumenical bodies it was felt that the Society’s profile could be raised and a specific contribution made to the wider ecumenical effort through a more formal link with the ecumenical structures in the United Kingdom. To this end an approach was made during 2007 to explore the possibility of the Society becoming a Body in Association with Churches Together in England. Such an association with CTE would not only allow the Society to participate in CTE’s sponsored events but would also be a gateway to a formal link with the umbrella ecumenical instrument, Churches Together in Britain & Ireland (CTBI) and, through CTBI, with the European ecumenical scene.

In December 2007 Sr Teresa Burke, Fr Mark Woodruff and Paul Paniccia of the Society met with Rev Bill Snelson, the then CTE General Secretary, and Rev Mark Fisher, CTE executive officer with responsibility for Bodies in Association with CTE. This meeting established the bona fides of the Society and paved the way for a formal application to be made to CTE. In February 2008 the application was approved by the board of CTE and in March 2008 the CTE Enabling Group also approved the application. The application also needed the approval of 75% of the member churches of CTE. Notification that this had been achieved was received in mid-May and the Society formally became a Body in Association with CTE with immediate effect. This was quickly followed by a communication from CTBI that the Society had been formally accepted as a Body in Association with CTBI as well.

The Society has already made a contribution through initiating the idea of a special commemoration of the centenary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, organised by CTE, which took place at Westminster Abbey on 18th January 2008. A number of Society members were present with Fr Bill McLoughlin and Sr Teresa Burke taking an active part in the liturgy. A spirituality day at the Abbey on 19th January to reflect this year’s Week of Prayer’s theme, Pray without ceasing, included a workshop, Praying with Mary, run by the Society and the Society’s Morning Office was publicly prayed in the Abbey. The new General Secretary of CTE, Rev Dr David Cornick, will be presenting a paper at the Society’s Aylesford conference this September. Such events, early on in the relationship, help to establish and build up the link between the Society and the national ecumenical instruments.