In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Whereas, it is the will of our Lord 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 full unity 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 Episcopal Bishop of Albany and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Albany have expressed full support and encouragement of covenant relationships between congregations of these churches; and
Now
Therefore we solemnly and reverently enter into this Covenant and hereby pledge:
To pray for one another;
To worship together occasionally, including an annual commemoration of the signing of this document;
To hold educational programs for our people for the purpose of mutual understanding;
To work together for social justice and the common good;
To sponsor jointly cultural and social events;
To maintain a joint covenant committee to administer this covenant to provide for its evaluation to insure its continuity.
We dedicate ourselves to these objectives and ask the blessing of Almighty God on this Covenant that we may be faithful to the agreement, to His Honor and Glory.
In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this sixteenth day of June in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty-seven.
David S. Ball
Episcopal Bishop of Albany
Howard J. Hubbard
Roman Catholic Bishop of Albany
The Covenant Prayer
Almighty God, in your mercy behold these two sister churches in the City of Albany, the Cathedral of All Saints and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. So fill them with your grace that they may be brought to a union based on the Flesh and Spirit of Christ, our enduring Life; a union based on faith and love, the greatest blessing; and, most especially, a union with Jesus and with you, our Father. We ask this in Christ’s Name, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Transcribed in 2019 by Richard Mammana for the Episcopal Church Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.