Unity

As a Communion rooted in the principles of the “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church,” the Archdiocese of the Sacred Heart is dedicated to fostering unity within the broader Body of Christ. This sense of communion actively pursues its noble purpose through affirmation, association, and cooperation with the entire Church.

Firstly, the Archdiocese of the Sacred Heart strives to lovingly affirm and extend blessings to the diverse expressions of the Church. Whether aligned with the sacramental/liturgical tradition, the evangelical movement, the Charismatic/Pentecostal sphere, or embracing Convergence, all individuals belonging to Christ are acknowledged. Anything contrary to this recognition would be incongruent with the essence of being a communion in Convergence, which also aligns with the aspiration to emulate Christ’s character. By embodying a living example of the three streams of the Church flowing harmoniously like a single river, the Archdiocese of the Sacred Heart becomes a genuine model of Christian unity for the entire Church.

Secondly, the Archdiocese of the Sacred Heart actively contributes to the unity of the Church through intentional association. It seeks meaningful relationships with other communions, Christian organizations, and ecclesial networks. The Communion adheres to the historic Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886 and 1888 as a foundational benchmark for establishing these connections, and also for determining membership within the communion. Originating in 1886, the resolution on Christian unity was passed by the House of Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Subsequently, a revised version was adopted as Resolution II during the decennial Lambeth Conference in England, which gathers Anglican bishops from around the world. To provide a complete understanding of the Quadrilateral’s purpose, spirit, and content, the full text of the Chicago resolution is quoted below: