1. It was over a late night glass of Scotch, a number of years ago, that Graham Routledge and I first talked of the issues I am asked to address this afternoon. Chancellor Routledge and I differed on a number of subjects, political and ecclesiastical, but we discovered common cause in the recognition of the importance of an impartial and unemotional examination of the doctrinal, ecclesiological and constitutional implications of any future Anglican- Roman Catholic unity. It was during one such conversation that Graham told me of his hopes for the establishment of this Society, which he saw as, amongst other things, the most appropriate forum for the bringing together of the necessary disciplines and professions for such scholarly and ecumenical discussion. Graham had been able to initiate some discussion of the question within the English Anglican Roman Catholic Committee (of which he was a distinguished member). But the complexities of both canon and constitutional law, and, problems concerning the interpretation of ecclesiastical history, reinforced his judgement that quiet and continuing consideration was required in a society such as ours as well as in ecumenical committees.