No Turning Back

Margaret O'Gara was born in Chicago in 1947. She completed undergraduate studies at Trinity College, Washington, DC; master's studies at Yale Divinity School; and doctoral studies at the University of St. Michael's College , Toronto. For thirty-six years she was a member of the Faculty of Theology at St. Michael's. During that time she also served on six different ecumenical dialogues. She died in 2012 after suffering from cancer for two years.

• ContentsForeword by Bishop Richard J. Sklba   ixForeword by Professor David M. Thompson   xiEditor’s Introduction   xiiiList of Abbreviations   xxvPart OneIntroducing the Ecumenical Perspective1. The Catholic Church in the World Today   32. Ecumenical Dialogue in Canada Today   73. Making Peace for Peacemaking   114. Christ’s Church Local and Global   165. “Pray without Ceasing”   236. Friendship in the Ecumenical Movement: Its Theological Significance   287. Table Manners: Jesus’ Lavish Hospitality   388. Ecumenical Dialogue as a Process of Personal Transformation   42Part TwoDeepening the Ecumenical Perspective9. Understanding Vatican I on Papal Primacy   6110. Anglican Orders and Ecumenical Dialogue on Ordained Ministry   7911. The Holy Spirit’s Assistance to the Magisterium in Teaching   10112. Watching from the Sideline: Recent Lutheran–Anglican Agreements   12413. Scripture and Tradition   14814. Divine Law: A Roman Catholic View   16315. Teaching Authority: Catholics, Disciples of Christ, and Lutherans   18616. Ecumenical Dialogue: The Next Generation   206Epilogue: The Study of Theology   232Margaret O’Gara: Publications   238Index   246

Since Margaret O'Gara had the unique opportunity of participating, over a period of decades, in several official international and national dialogues, an experience relatively few others have had, her interpretations of some of the achievements of these dialogues, as well as the further insights to ecumenical progress she garners when comparing several dialogues, constitute a most valuable aspect of this book. O'Gara, with a profound commitment to Christian unity, recognizes that renewal within the divided churches is a key to ecumenical progress and, with deep Catholic convictions, does not hesitate to give her views concerning areas in which renewal must be explored in the Catholic Church. These essays comprise an important collection for showing those devoted to the future of ecumenism some significant steps toward Christian unity already taken and the dedication that is necessary as the movement continues.John A. Radano, Seton Hall University