PHOTO GALLERY: For the first time a Papal Nuncio presides at Mass in Canterbury’s Anglican cathedral
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, celebrated a historic Catholic Mass in Canterbury Cathedral. The Mass marked the Translation of St Thomas of Canterbury, also known as Thomas Becket. This was the first time a papal nuncio had celebrated Mass in the cathedral. Archbishop Maury Buendía's homily emphasized the Christian life as a spiritual journey and the need for hope.
8 days ago
For the first time in history, an Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, who serves as Pope Leo XIV's representative to Great Britain, presided over a Catholic Mass in Canterbury Cathedral 1. This landmark event took place on July 7, 2025, marking the annual Translation of St. Thomas of Canterbury, also known as Thomas Becket 1.
The Mass honored St. Thomas Becket, a figure venerated by both the Church of England and the Catholic Church, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his martyrdom in 1170 1. While Catholic Masses are held annually at the Anglican cathedral in honor of St. Thomas Becket, the presence and presidency of a Papal Nuncio made this year's celebration uniquely significant 1. This is particularly notable given that a papal legate was reportedly present when St. Thomas Becket's body was moved to its shrine in 1220 1.
In his homily, Archbishop Buendía highlighted the Mass's context within the Jubilee Year, emphasizing the Christian life as a spiritual journey and encouraging attendees to be "Pilgrims of Hope" 1. He drew parallels between St. Paul's writings and St. Thomas Becket's martyrdom, portraying Becket's suffering as a witness to Christ and the Church's freedom from secular interference 1. The Nuncio also quoted Pope Leo XIV, who stressed the commitment of those in authority to "move aside so that Christ may remain," reflecting St. Thomas's self-emptying love 1.
Archbishop Buendía conveyed Pope Leo XIV's "Christian closeness" to Anglican brothers and sisters, extending an invitation for both traditions to "listen, together with us, to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches" 1. He acknowledged Canterbury Cathedral as the oldest English-speaking cathedral and recalled Pope St. Gregory the Great's mission to send St. Augustine to convert the Anglo-Saxons, further underscoring the shared historical roots 1.
Catholic ecumenism's principles regarding non-Catholic worship?
The Catholic Church approaches ecumenism with principles that acknowledge a real, though incomplete, communion with other Christian communities, while maintaining its distinct understanding of worship and the sacraments .
The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, recognized that those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are truly brothers and sisters in Christ and are incorporated into Him . These communities possess many essential elements willed by Christ for His Church and are used by the Holy Spirit as "means of salvation" . The Catholic Church is committed to working for Christian unity, which is fostered by the grace of the Holy Spirit , and this unity requires the full visible communion of all Christians, including the confession of one faith, common celebration of divine worship, and fraternal harmony .
While acknowledging a real communion, the Catholic Church has specific guidelines regarding common participation in worship (communicatio in sacris) with non-Catholics. The general rule is that Eucharistic sharing is not permitted for members of churches not in complete communion with the Catholic Church, as it serves as a witness to the unity of the Church . This is because common participation in worship can harm the unity of the Church, involve formal acceptance of error, or create a danger of aberration in faith, scandal, and indifferentism .
However, the Church also considers the spiritual good and needs of souls . In certain situations, due to an objectively grave and pressing spiritual need, a member of another church who manifests the Catholic faith in the Eucharist may receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Church . Such circumstances are judged on a case-by-case basis and can include situations like a parent of a child being baptized or receiving First Holy Communion, or immediate family members at a Funeral Mass . This "mild policy" aims to offer means of salvation and an example of charity, while promoting union with separated Eastern Churches .
Regarding non-Christian religions, the Church teaches that God's salvific grace is always given through Christ in the Spirit and has a mysterious relationship to the Church . While theologians are encouraged to understand how this grace comes to individual non-Christians, it is contrary to faith to consider the Church as merely one way of salvation alongside other religions, or as complementary or substantially equivalent to them .
Nevertheless, various religious traditions contain and offer religious elements that come from God, and the Holy Spirit works in human hearts, cultures, and religions . Some prayers and rituals of other religions may serve as a preparation for the Gospel, prompting the human heart to be open to God's action . However, these cannot be attributed a divine origin or ex opere operato salvific efficacy, which is proper to Christian sacraments . It is also recognized that some rituals, if dependent on superstitions or errors, can be an obstacle to salvation .
Non-Christians, when faithful to their consciences, can be justified by God's grace and associated with the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ . God's working in them tends to produce signs and rites that can lead to a communitarian experience of journeying towards God, even if these lack the meaning and efficacy of Christ's sacraments . These can be channels through which the Holy Spirit liberates non-Christians from atheistic immanentism or purely individual religious experiences . The Holy Spirit also brings forth practical wisdom in various forms that help people bear suffering and live in peace and harmony, from which Christians can also benefit .
The possibility of salvation outside the Church for those who live according to their conscience is not disputed, and this salvation is not independent of Christ and His Church, but based on the universal presence of the Spirit . Non-Christian religions may contain elements of truth and goodness, and "rays of truth which illuminate all men" . While these religions may contain elements of truth and grace, and can be indirect signs of spiritual grace, they are not salvific paths parallel to or independent of Christ and His Church . The question of whether religions as such can have salvific value remains open for theological discussion .