Covenant between Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception—June 2, 1974
Read the Rededication Covenant from 1999
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Whereas, it is the Will of Jesus Christ “that they all may be one”; and
Whereas, the highest leadership of the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches have expressed a desire for reunion of these Christian and Sister Churches; and
Whereas, the theologians of these Churches are meeting to solve the theological problems involved in reunion; and
Whereas, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri and the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph have expressed a desire that the parishes in their Diocese prepare themselves for this reunion; and
Whereas, the peoples of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral and The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception, both in the City of Kansas City and the State of Missouri, are conscious of the Will of Jesus Christ and the desire of their respective Churches for reunion;
Now,
Therefore, we solemnly and reverently enter into this Covenant and hereby pledge:
1. To support each in preserving the traditions of the other — Roman Catholic or Anglican as the case may be — according to the mandate of the Gospel.
2. To strive for the removal of any existing obstacle to reunion.
3. To place no impediment in the way of reunion.
4. To include in our liturgies a petition to God for the reunion of these Churches.
5. To include in our liturgies a prayer for each other.
6. To share as far as is feasible our facilities.
7. To make available each to the other programs sponsored by our congregations.
8. To have designated representatives attend Mass or a service of the other once each month.
9. To work together for social justice and the common good.
10. To sponsor joint social events.
11. To continue covenanting meetings on a regular basis for prayer, study and the furtherance of inter-involvement.
We dedicate ourselves to these objectives and ask the blessing of Almighty God on this Covenant that we may be faithful to it to His Honor and Glory.
In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this Pentecost, the second day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-four.
Signed by:
The Right Reverend Arthur A. Vogel, Ph.D., S.T.D.
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri
The Most Reverend Charles H. Helmsing, D.D.
Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
The Very Reverend Eugene G. Malcolm
Dean, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
The Reverend Robert N. Deming
Pastor, The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception Parish
Henry Burr
Senior Warden of the Vestry
Theresa Elmore
Parish Council President, The Cathedral and Old St. Patrick’s
Dick H. Woods
Coordinator, Anglican Covenanting Committee
Robert D. O’Byrne
Coordinator, Roman Catholic Covenanting Committee