By a Staff Reporter
Representatives of all the main Christian denominations will meet at Church House, Dean's Yard, Westminster, on Wednesday at the invitation of the United Reformed Church to discuss the subject of unity. The eight Catholics taking part will include Bishop Butler, Auxiliary of Westminster.
The United Reformed Church statement announcing the meeting recalls that the following resolutions were passed at its General Assembly in May: "The Assembly, recalling the commitment in the Scheme of Union that the United Reformed Church will take, wherever possible and with all speed, further steps towards the unity of God's people and welcoming the response given on behalf of other Churches in the Service in Westminster Abbey on October 5, 1972, invites those Churches to share in discussion as to how that unity can be furthered in England."
"It resolves to appoint eight people to be available to meet with similar groups from such other Churches as may be ready to accept this invitation, and records its hope that these discussions will produce concrete proposals for conversations between those Churches able to commit themselves to seek the formation of a united Church.
"The Assembly instructs its representatives to report the progress made towards this end not later than the Assembly of 1974.
"It was further resolved that the Assembly addresses this invitation to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland, the Churches of Christ, the Church of England, the Methodist Church, and the Roman Catholic Church, and asks the Free Church Federal Council to act as agent in securing
representation of such smalle-r Churches as desire to participate."
The U.R.F. statement adds that the smaller Churches associated with the Free Church Federal Council are being con sulted by the Council's General .p Secretary, who is making arrangements for their representation at the initial talks.
When these resolutions were debated in the General Synod of the Church of England, it was resolved to suggest that the Holy Orthodox Church should be invited to join in these Talks. Next week's meeting will consider this point and, if thought fit, extend such an invitation to the Orthodox and to any others who should be included.
The Catholic representatives will be: Sister Lorna Brockett, Fr. Patrick Crowley, Fr. Paul Hypher, Fr. Nicholas Lash, Fr. Peter Ryan, Fr. William Steele and Fr. R. L. Stewart.