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Foreword by the Bishop of Portsmouth

In response to the Diocesan Pastoral Plan set out in Go Out and Bear Fruit the Diocesan Christian Unity Committee has revised the 1999 Code of Prac­tice for working together with other Christian churches. I commend this new document to Parishes and Pastoral Areas and, in particular, to their pastoral councils.

It is increasingly clear to me that we cannot achieve our potential as a Christian Community if we attempt to do so without reference to our brothers and sis­ters in other Christian communities. Ecumenism has, therefore, an important part to play in fostering both 'Communion' and 'Mission' which as you know I have put forward as the key words in our approach to the years ahead.

A faith which is deeply and personally lived together with other Christians, be­comes a powerful force for good in the whole community and can be one of the major factors which shape the well-being of society. There is so much disu­nity in society that we need to commit ourselves to increasing the unity among Christ's followers and to be seen by all to be doing so.

It is in this spirit that I present this Code to you all. Particular Parishes have their own special circumstances and problems and not all the advice will be relevant in every situation but I do hope that clergy and pastoral councils will look care­fully at this Code and use it to help bring Christian Communities closer togeth­er both in prayer and in service to the wider community. We should remember that we should not be doing separately anything which can in conscience be done together.

God Bless you all

+ Crispian Hollis Bishop of Portsmouth