Vatican: Obstacles prevent ties between churches

Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams acknowledged after talks today that there were “serious obstacles” on the path to closer ties between Catholics and Anglicans, reflecting tensions over Anglicans’ blessings of same-sex unions and steps to ordain female bishops.

However, the leaders of the two churches, in a joint statement issued after 25 minutes of private talks at the Vatican, said they said they were committing themselves to continuing dialogue.