Endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3

We, the Bishops of the Continuing Anglican Churches and Traditionalist Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America meeting at the call of the Abbot of Saint Benedict's Abbey at Bartonville, in the Diocese of Quincy, recognize the deep divisions which have afflicted our individual jurisdictions. We acknowledge that these divisions have been caused by our pride, anger, envy and other sentiments contrary to the Gospel, and that these have caused deep hurt to those entrusted to our care.

We are mindful that we as individuals, and our Jurisdictions as portions of the Christian family, must grow in forgiveness and reconciliation in order, to fulfill our Lord's, will that his Church be one. To begin this growth, we constitute ourselves a confraternity and community of prayer, and call upon the clergy, religious and laity under our care, to join themselves to us in regular corporate and private prayer for each other, and neither to speak nor to do ill against each other, that the Holy Spirit will work among us to heal these sad divisions.

During our meeting, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have discovered mutual unity, respect and repentance; and providentially have unexpected and convenient opportunities to continue our discussions throughout the coming year. To prepare ourselves for these continuing meetings, we ask that our clergy, religious and laity join us each day in the following traditional prayers.

For the Unity of God's People

0 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, United States of America, 1928

For Deliverance from Peril

0 Eternal God, our heavenly Father, who alone makest men to be of one mind in a house: We bless thy holy Name, that it hath pleased thee to end the strife which hath lately prevailed among us; and we humbly beseech thee to grant us grace, that we may ever abide in unity before thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, Canada, 1962

The Feast of Saint Boniface

May 5, 1999

at The Abbey of Saint Benedict

Bartonville, Illinois

The Rt. Revd. Keith Ackeman

The Rt. Revd. Robert Crawley

The Rt. Revd. Donald Davies

The Rt. Revd. Louis Falk

The Rt. Revd. Herbert Groce

The Rt. Revd. Walter Grundorf

The Rt. Revd. John Hepworth

The Rt. Revd. Jack Iker

The Rt. Revd. Joel Johnson

The Rt. Revd. Edward MacBurney

The Rt. Revd. Scott McLaughlin

The Rt. Revd. Robert Mercer

The Rt. Revd. Donald Parsons

The Rt. Revd. Donald Perschall

The Rt. Revd. Larry Shaver

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