Conclusion

      We who have participated in ERCDOM III are agreed that every possible opportunity for common witness should be taken, except where conscience forbids. We cannot make decisions for one another, however, because we recognize that the situation varies in different groups and places. In any case, the sad fact of our divisions on important questions of faith always puts a limit on the common witness which is possible. At one end of the spectrum are those who can contemplate no cooperation of any kind. At the other are those who desire a very full cooperation. In between are many who still find some forms of common witness conscientiously impossible, while they find others to be the natural, positive expression of common concern and conviction. In some Third World situations, for example, the divisions which originated in Europe are felt with less intensity, and mutual trust has grown through united prayer and study of the Word of God. Although all Christians should understand the historical origins and theological issues of the Reformation, yet our continuing division is a stumbling block, and the gospel calls us to repentance, renewal and reconciliation.
      We believe that the Evangelical-Roman Catholic Dialogue on Mission has now completed its task. At the same time we hope that dialogue on mission between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals will continue, preferably on a regional or local basis, in order that further progress may be made towards a common understanding, sharing and proclaiming of "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). We commit these past and future endeavors to God, and pray that by "speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Eph 4:15).

Appendix

The Participants

ERCDOM I
(Venice) April 1977

Evangelical Participants
      Professor Peter Beyerhaus
      Bishop Donald Cameron
      Dr Orlando Costas
      Mr Martin Goldsmith
      Dr David Hubbard
      Reverend Gottfried Osei-Mensah
      Reverend Peter Savage
      Reverend John Stott

Roman Catholic Participants
      Sister Joan Chatfield
      Father Pierre Duprey
      Monsignor Basil Meeking
      Father Dionisio Minguez Fernandez
      Father John Paul Musinsky
      Father Waly Neven
      Father Robert Rweyemamu
      Father Thomas Stransky

ERCDOM II
(Cambridge, England) March 1982

Evangelical Participants
      Dr Kwame Bediako
      Professor Peter Beyerhaus
      Bishop Donald Cameron
      Mr Martin Goldsmith
      Dr David Hubbard
      Reverend Peter Savage
      Reverend John Stott
      Dr David Wells

Roman Catholic Participants
      Sister Joan Chatfield
      Father Parmananda Divarkar
      Father Pierre Duprey
      Father René Girault
      Monsignor Basil Meeking
      Monsignor Jorge Mejia
      Father John Mutiso-Mbinda
      Father John Redford
      Monsignor Pietro Rossano
      Father Thomas Stransky

ERCDOM III
(Landévennec, France) April 1984

Evangelical Participants
      Dr Kwame Bediako
      Bishop Donald Cameron
      Dr Harvie Conn
      Mr Martin Goldsmith
      Reverend John Stott
      Dr David Wells

Roman Catholic Participants
      Sister Joan Chatfield
      Father Matthieu Collin
      Sister Joan Delaney
      Father Claude Geffré
      Monsignor Basil Meeking
      Father Philip Rosato
      Bishop Anselme Sanon
      Father Bernard Sesboué
      Father Thomas Stransky

[Information Service 60 (1986/I-II) 71-102]