The ties that bind our Anglican Communion family

From Anglican News-

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, reflects on how membership of the Communion is defined.

There is much about our Anglican Communion which makes us unique. We are an extraordinary international family, bound together by faith in Jesus Christ and by our rich tradition.

The See of Canterbury is one of the unique features which binds us together. At the Primates’ Meeting in October it was clear just how much Canterbury meant to those who came. For Anglicans, communion with the See of Canterbury – and with its Archbishop – is the visible expression of our communion with one another.

In his advent letter to GAFCON, the Primate of Nigeria says: “the Jerusalem Statement and Declaration clarified that the Anglican Communion is not determined simply by relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury”.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/blogs/2017/12/the-ties-that-bind-our-anglican-communion-family.aspx

A Canterbury trail: exploring the city’s medieval streets on foot

From The Guardian-

The place is, in a word, cryptic. This is not just because of the cathedral’s vast undercroft and the tales its stones could tell about the strange murder of an archbishop in the late 12th century. There’s a sense of the city’s riddlesome quality even before arriving.

One of the two railway stations, Canterbury West, is no further to the west than the other one, Canterbury East. What’s more, Canterbury West is situated right at the north of the town, while Canterbury East is right at the south. Once inside the old walls, middle England does its best to assert stability in the Kent peninsula, but don’t be taken in; this is the eternal capital of medieval murder mystery.

Canterbury East is the better of the two approaches, with the train slowing parallel with the largely restored mass of the Roman walls, then drawing up like a docking liner. So durable were these walls, with a thickness of two-and-a-half metres, that they offered stout resistance to the Viking invasions of Kent between the ninth and 11th centuries.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/aug/01/canterbury-kent-walk-medieval-streets-attractions-cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral stone goes under hammer

From The BBC-

Stone removed from Canterbury Cathedral during restoration of a 15th Century window is to be sold at auction.

More than 140 pieces will be sold, some large enough for garden ornaments and smaller pieces that can go in a home.

Heather Newton, head of conservation, said successful bidders would own of a piece of history - the cathedral is mother church of the Anglican Communion and part of a World Heritage Site.
The proceeds will go to the future conservation of the cathedral.

Many of the pieces date back to when the Great South Window was built and show the carvings and markings of stonemasons who have worked on the window over the centuries.

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-36964503

Relic of murdered archbishop Thomas Becket on England 'pilgrimage'

From The Daily Mail-

A relic of Thomas Becket is to be returned to England for the first time in 800 years in a week-long commemoration of the murdered archbishop.

The fragment of bone, believed to come from Becket's arm, is held by the Basilica of Esztergom in Hungary.

It will travel from his birthplace in London to Canterbury Cathedral, where he was murdered in 1170, as part of a seven-day "pilgrimage".

More here-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3604457/Relic-murdered-archbishop-Thomas-Becket-England-pilgrimage.html

Justin Welby, The Archbishop Of Canterbury, Wants YOU At Lambeth Palace

From Huffington-

Ever wanted to kick it with the Archbishop of Canterbury? Here’s your chance.

Justin Welby, the senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion and a self-described “spiritual magpie,” is looking for a few good young men and women (aged 20 - 35) to live with him in London’s Lambeth Palace.

The one-year residency comes with a pretty choice digs -- Lambeth Palace has been the residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury since the 13th century. The 16 young people will be living in cottages on the leafy grounds of the palace, which is located right on the River Thames in central London. Forty commuters from the London area are also invited to participate in evening and weekend programs.

More here-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/24/lambeth-palace-anselm_n_6746396.html

Canterbury Cathedral TV review – a quintessential hour of Church of Englandness

From The Guardian-

In its almost 1,500 years as Anglicanism’s mother church, I doubt whether Canterbury Cathedral has witnessed such a quintessential moment of Church of Englandness as we did in the opening episode of the three-part documentary Canterbury Cathedral (BBC2).

It came as the Holy Stitchers, women who meet for two hours on Thursdays to keep the clergy’s various vestments in good repair, meditated on changes wrought by the admittance of women priests. They are all so much shorter than the men that they had to have grievously extensive alterations to the antique robes. “One had to have a foot cut off it,” said one of the ladies. “It can’t go back on again. Joan suggested they should be interviewed by size.” The mixture of laughter and distress, the hint of froideur, spoke directly to the English soul – a moment of perfect communion among the Holy Stitchers, and between them and the viewers. I like to think the ladies spend their downtime making needlepoint samplers to decorate the vestry walls. Perhaps ones that say: “You don’t have to be Anglican to work here, but it helps.”

More here

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/dec/13/inside-canterbury-cathedral-review

Archbishop of Canterbury offers monastic gap year at Lambeth Palace

From The Telegraph-

It has become an essential rite of passage for many young people and a chance to “find themselves” while trekking in the Andes or joining a Buddhist retreat.

But now the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, is making a surprise move into the gap year market by starting a new monastic community in Lambeth Palace for young people to experience a life of prayer and meditation.

In a major break with tradition, the Archbishop is inviting 16 young people to move into the 800-year-old palace by Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament, for a year.

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/11076095/Archbishop-of-Canterbury-offers-monastic-gap-year-at-Lambeth-Palace.html

Rich are pushing world into crisis, Williams warns

From The Church Times-

THE former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams has blamed the lifestyle of the affluent West for the effects of climate change in the world's poorest regions.

Lord Williams, who now chairs Christian Aid, singled out the "uncontrolled burning" of fossil fuels as a significant contributor to global warming.

His comments, in an article for The Sunday Telegraph last weekend, were timed to coincide with the publication on Monday of a report by the Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change (News and Comment, 21 March).

The report says that climate change is already having an impact around the world, on areas from human health to agriculture and wildlife. Rising temperatures will increasingly threaten security, health, and food supplies, exacerbate poverty, and damage species and habitats.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2014/4-april/news/uk/rich-are-pushing-world-into-crisis,-williams-warns

After 1,000 years, girls sing at Canterbury Cathedral

From AP-

The pure, high voices of the choir soar toward the vaulted ceiling of Canterbury Cathedral as they have for more than 1,000 years. Just one thing is different — these young choristers in their purple cassocks are girls.

Today, their public debut at Evensong will end centuries of all-male tradition.

Canterbury is not the first British cathedral to set up a girls’ choir, but as the mother church of the 80 million-strong Anglican Communion — one struggling to define the role of women in its ranks — its move has special resonance.

That is not lost on the 16 girls, aged between 12 and 16, who have been chosen to make this bit of history.

“That’s an amazing thought in the back of your mind — no girl has sung in this cathedral over an amazingly long period of time,” said 12-year-old choir member Abby Cox. “I’ve always liked singing, but I think this is the major event that has happened in my life and I’m so excited to be part of it.”

More here-

http://lubbockonline.com/faith/2014-01-25/after-1000-years-girls-sing-canterbury-cathedral#.UuPCwP30C2w

Sir Hector Sants to Chair Archbishop's Task Group on Credit Unions and the Financial Sector

From Anglican News-

Sir Hector Sants, former Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority and Head of Compliance and regulatory affairs for Barclays Bank, has accepted the Archbishop of Canterbury’s invitation to chair a Task Group to help support the growth of Credit Unions as part of a more competitive financial sector which encourages responsible lending and saving.

The Task Group will develop the Church of England’s on-going support for local credit unions (web link) while working with the wider financial sector to build support for more competitive and community-based financial services. It will mobilise some of the offers of support and assistance which the Archbishop received following his comments in the summer. The Task Group will meet for the first time at the end of January.

Members of the Task Group include the bishops of Stepney and Hull, representatives of the credit union movement, and members with senior level experience in the banking and regulatory sectors.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2014/01/sir-hector-sants-to-chair-archbishops-task-group-on-credit-unions-and-the-financial-sector.aspx

Did Canterbury Cathedral miss a trick turning down Harry Potter role?

From England-

Kent is no stranger to the big screen. Providing the backdrop to some of Hollywood’s most successful blockbusters, it has become a firm favourite for film companies.

And with its combination of historic buildings and varied coastline it is no wonder.

Les Miserables, Sherlock Holmes and World War Z all featured scenes that had been shot in the county.

But in among the long list of big hitters there remains one that got away:

Harry Potter.

The franchise, now thought to be worth billions, could have had its roots planted firmly in Kent.

Back in 2000, before anyone imagined what a runaway success the films would be, Warner Bros approached Canterbury Cathedral to ask that it be used as the location for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry – the school that Harry Potter and his chums attend in the JK Rowling books.

At the time, the cathedral said a “generous” offer had been made but it was turned down due to concerns at the stories’ use of pagan imagery.

Christianity warns against engaging in pagan rituals and witchcraft.

Instead, Gloucester Cathedral stepped in to fill the role of Hogwarts.

More here-

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/did_canterbury_cathedral_miss_a_trick_turning_down_harry_potter_role_1_3199628

Revealed: winner of Canterbury Cathedral entrance contest

From Canterbury-

Landscape architect Hyland Edgar Driver has won the competition to revamp the landscaping around Canterbury Cathedral

The jury was unanimous in choosing the London and Winchester-based practice, which beat off competition from teams including Gianni Botsford Architects, Purcell, Tonkin Liu and up-and-coming practice Michael Lee Architects.

Inspired by the cathedral’s archives and glass art, Hyland Edgar Driver’s proposals suggested developing a pavement of large flagstones forming a new piazza, alongside restoring flint walls and reintroducing herbs and wild flowers.

More here-

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/revealed-winner-of-canterbury-cathedral-entrance-contest/8655248.article?blocktitle=News-feature&contentID=9529

Canterbury Cathedral says it’s not closing its doors

From RNS-

England’s best-known cathedral and mother church of the 77 million-member worldwide Anglican Communion will stay open to the public despite the fact that two-thirds of the historic building is in urgent need of repair.

The BBC reported on Sunday (May 12) that Canterbury Cathedral would soon close to visitors after it missed out on a 10.6 million pound ($16.2 million) request to the Heritage Lottery Fund for structural repairs. That report was dismissed on Monday as “greatly exaggerated” by cathedral spokesman Christopher Robinson.

“The Germans didn’t force us to close Canterbury Cathedral during the Second World War,” he said in an interview. “So there’s no chance it will be closed to visitors because we need to carry out some urgent repairs.”

The cathedral’s dean, Robert Willis, said cathedral leaders will need to examine why their bid failed before deciding whether to submit another request in November. “We remain committed to restoring the cathedral and to offering our many pilgrims and visitors a warm and rewarding experience,”

More here-

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/05/13/canterbury-cathedral-says-its-not-closing-its-doors/

Diocese of Canterbury welcomes its new archbishop

From ENS-

Snow and ice hit Kent on the morning of March 23, the day the diocese welcomed its new archbishop at a special service at Canterbury Cathedral. Even with the bitter cold, hundreds filled the cathedral as a smiling Archbishop Justin Welby entered the West Door accompanied by the Very Rev. Robert Willis, cathedral dean, and Bishop of Dover the Trevor Willmott.

During the service, titled “Our Jouney into Holy Week,” several people offered testimonies of what the week ahead would mean for them. Welby said that Holy Week was a time “to journey together” and to “say yes to the invitation” to be “partners” in Christ’s mission and plan for the world. He also said that “How much God loves us is what makes us fit” for His service and that accepting Christ’s love and his call will mean our “being with Him forever.”

The new archbishop, who was inaugurated at the cathedral on March 21, said, “Jesus loves us and we must share that love.”

Speaking of mission, he said, “Our proclamation must be world-changing, that world that we dream of.” The 57-year-old primate said that we must “learn to love” one another, even when that can be “difficult,” adding that “the way we live together,” even in our diversity, is an important witness to the world, yes “even when we disagree.”

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/03/25/diocese-of-canterbury-welcomes-its-new-archbishop/

Archbishop of Canterbury's new Secretary for Public Affairs

From ACNS-

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is delighted to announce the appointment of Kay Brock LVO DL as his new Secretary for Public Affairs, based at Lambeth Palace.

Kay Brock brings with her a wealth of public affairs experience having spent time in a variety of senior roles, including Chief of Staff to six Lord Mayors of London and Assistant Private Secretary to the Queen. She also brings an international understanding to the post having worked throughout the 1990s on economic aid to ex-communist countries in eastern Europe.

Speaking about her new position, Kay said: “Now that many people are re-examining the values by which we live, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s role in our society and internationally has more relevance than ever. I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to assist the Archbishop in his valuable work within the church and in the public sphere”.

Kay has a degree from Oxford University and a MBA from the London Business School and holds various voluntary positions such as Chair of the charity Dance United, a trustee of the Academy of Ancient Music, and is also a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/12/21/ACNS5002

Anglican ‘conclave’ makes Roman version look transparent

From Commonweal-

It can be hard to make the Vatican look good these days, what with sex abuse victims suing the Pope for crimes against humanity and such.

But with the head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, looking ready to retire next year, Nelson Jones at The New Statesman notes that the way a new Anglican leader is chosen is easily as obscure as a flock of cardinals meeting in a secret conclave in the Sistine Chapel — and the art isn’t as good:

The process of choosing bishops and archbishops of the Established church is convoluted and arcane, but its underlying philosophy (like much in Britain) seems to be that some matters are too important to be left to the vagaries of a democratic process. Technically, senior posts in the Church of England are appointed by the Queen, in her capacity as Supreme Governor and Defender of the Faith, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister (who isn’t required to have any religious affiliations at all). Some recent prime ministers, including Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, are rumoured to have intervened in the selection process. These days, however, the practice of submitting two alternative names to Downing Street has been superseded, which means that bishops and archbishops are now effectively chosen by an obscure committee.

More here-

http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=15111

Archbishop of Canterbury dismisses spin doctor

From The London Guardian-

The archbishop of Canterbury's spin doctor is to leave after just nine months in the role and following Tory protests over a controversial magazine article condemning the coalition.

George Pitcher, an Anglican priest and former journalist, was hired last October as public affairs secretary at Lambeth Palace and engineered Rowan Williams's stint as guest editor for the New Statesman last month, which saw the archbishop launch a sustained attack on the coalition.

His criticism, seen by Whitehall as the most outspoken by an archbishop in a decade, pitted him against the government and left Lambeth Palace scrambling to minimise the damage as Conservative politicians and peers berated the archbishop either through the media or through channels at the Church of England.

Sunday, Lambeth Palace confirmed that Pitcher was leaving, but refused to say whether the New Statesmen stint had anything to do with his exit. "George was contracted to advise the archbishop on public affairs issues and that contract expires on 30 September when he will have completed projects he was asked to undertake. "When approached by the Guardian about his departure Pitcher said: "I am returning to journalism, a culture to which I am better suited."

More here-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jul/17/archbishop-ca

Blogging from Canterbury

From The Living Church-

Leigh Edwards, The Living Church’s first junior fellow, is in Canterbury attending a two-week conference for young seminarians and clergy. This is one of her posts on what she is experiencing and learning. Follow her regular posts at Reviving Hope.

Beside worship, prayer and meals, the “main activity” for this conference is hour-long classes or discussions scattered three or four throughout the day. I hope to write more about our courses to encourage discussion on your part as well as to sift through my own thoughts. There is a chosen topic for our talks for this two week that certainly took me aback. The topic is care of creation.

Father Ed introduced the topic with the five marks of mission for the Anglican Communion:

To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
To teach, baptize and nurture new believers.
To respond to human need by loving service.
To seek to transform unjust structures of society.
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2010/6/21/blogging-from-canterbury

Anglican women commit to spreading 'whole Gospel'

A group of 35 Anglican women theological educators from across the globe have affirmed their commitment to promote theological education for women in order to spread “the whole Gospel”.

The women, from as far afield as Fiji and Myanmar, reaffirmed their commitment at a meeting at the International Study Centre in Canterbury.

At the conclusion of the gathering earlier this week, the women said they felt challenged to help “change the world”.

They referred to the words of clergyman the late Max Warren, who once said, “It takes the whole world to know the whole Gospel”.

With those words in mind, the women said they felt that the theological perspective of women was essential and needed to be shared as part of proclaiming the “whole Gospel”.

The conference was also briefly attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, as well as representatives of UK organisations which joined to “hear and reflect … on the opportunities and problems that women may encounter in their roles as theological educators".

As well as discussing the various issues and concerns that women face as theological educators around the world, the conference ended with “a strong commitment to work together to develop and improve theological education for women in the Anglican Communion”.

The women committed to improving mentoring, networking and standards for women theological educators, and the goal of setting up a global Anglican theological academy for women in leadership.

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/anglican.women.commit.to.spreading.whole.gospel/22687.htm

Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal reaches £9 million

From Anglican Communion News Service- (Nine million pounds is about 13.5 million dollars)

The Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal has now reached the £9 million mark. The Appeal, established to fund an extensive £50 million conservation and development programme, has made good progress during the two years since its launch enabling critical conservation work to be carried out.

Following its high profile launch in October 2006, the Appeal quickly settled down to business and has been attracting donations from a number of sources. The focus for the Appeal in the first two years has primarily been the local community of Kent.

Commenting on this new milestone, Matthew Butler, Chief Executive of the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal, said; “We have seen a tremendous response to the Appeal in the last year, particularly when considering the current economic climate. We have continued to be delighted by the generosity of people who have donated financially, run events or volunteered their time. There is still a long way to go - £41 million to be precise, and we have much planned for the next few years to ensure we secure these donations.”

http://aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2008/11/17/ACNS4541