The sight of Benedict XVI and Archbishop Williams praying for unity at the shrine of Edward the Confessor could be a defining moment: the 11th century monarch is the patron saint of kings, difficult marriages and separated spouses.

Pope Benedict’s arrival in Britain breaks new ground on many levels, with a state welcome from the Queen and the beatification of Cardinal Henry Newman. But buried in the itinerary is another and, some would say, more piquant landmark.

Next Friday, the pope will meet the Rev Jane Hedges, canon steward of Westminster Abbey and a campaigner for women bishops in the Church of England. It will be the first time the head of the Vatican, which earlier this year declared female ordination a “crime against the faith” shakes hands with a clergywoman.

Their meeting will act as a reminder of the differences and difficulties between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic church. The abbey team is aware of the many historic aspects to the visit…

One senior Anglican also thinks the papal project will have little or no impact on the visit, calling it a “red herring”. The Rt Rev Tom Wright, the former bishop of Durham, said: “People leave the Roman Catholic church for Anglicanism and the other way round. It has always been the case, it is two-way traffic.

“It is easy to think ecumenical relations are what happens at a high level in public statements, but it’s what happens on the ground that is important.”

He dismissed the Vatican’s horror over women’s ordination as “surface noise”, but it is difficult to see past robust views.

Read More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/07/anglican-clergywoman-greet-pope-visit/print