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• Anna Rowlands seconded to Synod Secretariat and Dicastery for Integral Human Development (21 Mar 2023)

• Lambeth Palace responds to GSFA statement (20 Feb 2023)

• ACC-18 visits former British slave castle in Ghana with the Archbishop of Canterbury (15 Feb 2023)

• ACC-18 welcomes exploration of “structure and decision-making” in the Anglican Communion (14 Feb 2023)

• ACC discusses ‘good differentiation’ amid divisions in Anglican Communion on human sexuality (14 Feb 2023)

2023 ~ Anglican-Roman Catholic news & opinion

Anna Rowlands seconded to Synod Secretariat and Dicastery for Integral Human Development
21 March 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4419
Anna Rowlands, professor of Catholic social thought and practice at Durham University in Durham, England, speaks at a news conference at the Vatican to present the document for the continental phase of the Synod of Bishops on synodality

A leading Durham University theologian is to help shape the Catholic Church for years to come.

Professor Anna Rowlands has been selected for a secondment that will see her spend two years working with the General Secretariat of the Synod, and the Dicastery (Department) for Integral Human Development of the Holy See (Vatican).

Her role includes working closely with the team managing the global Synod process established by Pope Francis.

Lambeth Palace responds to GSFA statement
20 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4390
Lambeth Palace

Lambeth Palace responds to the recent statement by the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA).

A Lambeth Palace spokesperson has said:

“At last week’s meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) in Ghana, there was widespread support for working together patiently and constructively to review the Instruments of Communion, so that our differences and disagreements can be held together in unity and fellowship. The Archbishop is in regular contact with his fellow Primates and looks forward to discussing this and other matters with them over the coming period.”

ACC-18 visits former British slave castle in Ghana with the Archbishop of Canterbury
15 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4413
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, takes time out from a tour of Cape Coast Castle with members of ACC-18 for a moment of personal prayer and reflection in a former slave dungeon

Members of the global Anglican Consultative Council took time out from their week-long 18th plenary meeting (ACC-18) in Accra today to visit a 17th-century castle on Ghana’s Cape Coast. At the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, many enslaved Africans were held at Cape Coast Castle before being transported to the Americas on British slave ships. After touring the castle and visiting the basement dungeons, known as slave holes, and the cells for condemned prisoners, members of the ACC took part in a Service of Reflection and Reconciliation at the adjacent Christ Church Anglican Cathedral.

They were joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, President of the ACC; the Archbishop of Ghana and Primate of West Africa, the host province of ACC-18, Cyril Ben-Smith; and the Archbishop of the West Indies and Bishop of Jamaica, Howard Gregory, attending ACC-18 in his role as Chair of the Commission on Theological Education in the Anglican Communion.

ACC-18 welcomes exploration of “structure and decision-making” in the Anglican Communion
14 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4411
Bishop Graham Tomlin addresses members of the Anglican Consultative Council in Accra, Ghana

A proposal for a piece of work to “explore theological questions regarding structure and decision-making [in the Anglican Communion] to help address our differences” has been welcomed by members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC).

Today (Tuesday 14 February), at their week-long meeting in Accra, Ghana, members of the ACC, gathered for their 18th plenary meeting (ACC-18), affirmed “the importance of seeking to walk together to the highest degree possible, and learning from our ecumenical conversations how to accommodate differentiation patiently and respectfully.”

The words were in a resolution proposed by IASCUFO – the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order. ACC members asked for proposals from IASCUFO “that may impact the ACC constitution” to be brought for full discussion to the next meeting of the ACC, which is expected to be hosted by the Church of Ireland in three years’ time. In the meantime, IASCUFO is asked to proceed with the work and report its progress to the Instruments of Communion.

ACC discusses ‘good differentiation’ amid divisions in Anglican Communion on human sexuality
14 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4408
The Episcopal Church’s delegation to the 18th Anglican Consultative Council — Maryland Bishop Eugene Sutton, Annette Buchanan, a lay leader from the Diocese of New Jersey, and the Rev. Ranjit Mathews, the Diocese of Connecticut’s canon for mission, advocacy, racial justice and reconciliation — poses with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in Accra, Ghana

The Episcopal Church’s representatives to the Anglican Consultative Council participated Feb. 14 in a discussion on the challenges of maintaining – and, in some ways, restoring – unity among the worldwide Anglican Communion’s 42 provinces at a time of stark divisions over human sexuality and marriage equality.

About 110 representatives from 39 of those provinces are in Accra, Ghana, this week for the 18th meeting of ACC, one of the Anglican Communion’s four Instruments of Communion and the only to include laity. The other three are the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, the Primates’ Meeting and the archbishop of Canterbury, an office known as the “focus of unity.”

Archbishop of Canterbury addresses concern over global Anglican structures
12 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4406
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, delivers his presidential address to members of the Anglican Consultative Council during their 18th plenary meeting in Accra, Ghana

In a post-colonial world, the Church must find ways of demonstrating unity without one powerful group imposing its values on another, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said today.

In a presidential address to the 18th plenary meeting of the global Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-18), gathered in Accra, Ghana, Archbishop Justin said that “no one group should order the life and culture of another. Such control is often neo-colonial abuse.”

Arms trade is a ‘plague,’ pope says on flight back from Juba
5 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4379
Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, right, stands by Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and Pope Francis as he speaks to journalists aboard the flight from Juba, South Sudan, to Rome

Pope Francis asked the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland to join him for his usual post-trip news conference on their flight back to Rome from Juba, South Sudan, Feb. 5.

At the end of six days in African countries bloodied by war and conflict, Pope Francis said that “the biggest plague” afflicting the world today is the weapons trade.

Tribalism with its ancient rivalries is a problem, he told reporters Feb. 5, “but it is also true that the violence is provoked” by the ready supply of weapons and that making it easier for people to kill each other just to make money “is diabolical — I have no other word for it.”

Praying with South Sudan’s Christians, leaders urge new steps towards unity
4 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4376
Pope Francis, Archbishop Welby and Moderator Greenshields pray the Aaronic blessing on the assembly at the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil in Juba, the centre-piece of their unique Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage to South Sudan

As part of their historic ecumenical pilgrimage to South Sudan, Pope Francis, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, led an ecumenical prayer for peace Feb. 4 in Juba. After scolding South Sudan’s political leaders and consoling some of its poorest victims, Pope Francis, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, rallied their faithful to prayer and action.

My heart breaks at violence in South Sudan, says Archbishop of Canterbury
4 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4374
Archbishop Justin Welby preaching at All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Juba, South Sudan

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said “my heart breaks with sorrow for South Sudan” amidst ongoing violence and sectarian conflict in the country. Preaching at All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Juba this morning, the Archbishop urged those who have committed “secret crimes and evil deeds” to ask for God’s mercy and transformation and prayed they would know the “infinite love of Christ”. The Archbishop is currently on a historic three-day Pilgrimage for Peace to South Sudan with Pope Francis and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Pope appeals to South Sudan’s leaders to halt the bloodshed
3 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4368
Archbishop Justin Welby, Pope Francis, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Rev. Iain Greenshields during the meeting with South Sudanese authorities in Juba

Pope Francis tells the leaders of divided South Sudan that future generations will either venerate their names or cancel their memory, based on what they do now, and he issues an appeal “to leave the time of war behind and let a time of peace dawn.”

Lasting peace is within “reach” in South Sudan
3 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4372
Archbishop Justin Welby, Pope Francis, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Rev. Iain Greenshields during the meeting with South Sudanese authorities in Juba

The President and the Vice Presidents of South Sudan have it within their “reach” to extend justice and compassion to all the people of the world’s youngest nation, the Moderator of the General Assembly has said. Addressing President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his Vice Presidents in Juba this afternoon, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields told them that the world “needs churches and leaders who are generous of heart, liberal of love, and profligate with God’s grace.” The Moderator made the remarks at an official ceremony held at the “Palais de la Nation” alongside Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dr Greenshields said the world needs leaders who care about values, the conditions in which people live and act out their faith and work amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised. “These things make for peace,” he added.

The Five Marks of Mission: Today and Tomorrow – ACC prepares for 18th plenary
2 February 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4370
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) will convene for its 18th plenary from 12 to 19 February

The 18th plenary meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council will take place in Accra, Ghana, from 12 to 19 February. The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) is one of four “Instruments of Communion or “Instruments of Unity” of the global Anglican Communion of 42 autonomous and interdependent-yet-interdependent Churches present in more than 165 countries. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, is President of the ACC and will join other members of the ACC in Accra for this month’s meeting.

Update on ecumenical relations of the Holy See
31 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4366
L'Osservatore Romano

As in previous years, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity L’Osservatore Romano published a series of articles prepared by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity on the ecumenical relations of the Holy See. The texts, which are published in Italian, offer an update on the ecumenical situation and on initiatives undertaken in 2022.

Pope Francis, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders ask for prayers before trip
30 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4364
Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Before beginning their ecumenical pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan, Pope Francis and the leaders of the Anglican Communion and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland asked Christians around the globe to accompany them with prayers. Pope Francis is scheduled to fly first to Congo for a visit Jan. 31-Feb. 3 before meeting up in Juba, South Sudan, with Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Church of Scotland. About 60% of South Sudan’s population is Christian, and the leaders’ three denominations are the largest in the country.

Pope urges prayers for ‘pilgrimage of peace’ to South Sudan & DRC
29 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4358
Catholics attend Mass in St. Charles parish in Kinshasa ahead of the Pope's visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Pope Francis invites Christians to pray for his upcoming Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, saying the African nations have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts. Pope Francis sets off on Tuesday as a “pilgrim of peace” to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan on 31 January – 5 February.

3 Voices to give 1 message in South Sudan on “quite unique” trip in Church history
29 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4360
Archbishop Justin Welby meets with Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, newly elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

In South Sudan, “the Church speaks with one voice for peace,” says Presbyterian leader about the upcoming trip with Pope Francis. From February 3 to 5, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend Dr. Iain Greenshields, will join Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, on a “pilgrimage of peace” to South Sudan. The three Christian branches have worked together for several years to promote peace in the youngest state in the world, which continues to be troubled by conflict since its independence in 2011.

Hopes high Pope’s African visit will clear path to peace
27 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4357
A young woman carries a Cross during a march in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to protest escalating violence in the country

Braving a volatile political and security situation, Pope Francis embarks on a long-anticipated journey of unity and reconciliation to two African countries wracked by bitter divisions, warring factions and humanitarian crises seldom on the radar of international power brokers.

The Pope will travel first to Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Jan. 31 before proceeding to South Sudan from Feb. 3-5. In the latter country, he will be joined by the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the moderator of the Church of Scotland, Iain Greenshields, in what has been described as an ecumenical pilgrimage to facilitate a peace process that has been moving at a glacial pace following 10 years of a brutal civil war.

Brothers and Sisters on a Pilgrim Journey: Methodists and Anglicans and the Catholic Church
27 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4354
Delegates pray together during a Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church

The language of walking and pilgrimage has been used for many years regarding the deepening of ecumenical relationships. For example, when Pope Francis received the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in June 2014, he ended his address by saying, “we must walk together.” Two years later, in the [Common] Declaration issued by the Holy Father and the Archbishop at the Church of Saint Gregory, the two leaders said that fifty years of dialogue enabled their two communions to see themselves as “partners and companions on our pilgrim journey.” Also in 2016, the bishops of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) issued an appeal entitled, Walking Together: Common Service to the World and Witness to the Gospel, declaring that “Anglicans and Roman Catholics walk together by faith, guided and strengthened by our Lord who walks the pilgrim path with us.”

Hope, excitement, and expectations spread in South Sudan ahead of global Christian leaders’ visit
26 January 2023 • Persistent link: iarccum.org/?p=4352
People pray during a nighttime vigil for peace in Nakubuse, a small village near Kuron in South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria State. The region has been plagued by cattle raiding and child abduction in recent years. The Catholic Church-sponsored Holy Trinity Peace Village, centered in Kuron, has worked for years to foster reconciliation and peace between the region's pastoralist communities

Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church; Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, UK; and Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the general assembly of the Church of Scotland; will travel to the world’s youngest nation on 3- 5 February on a spiritual and peace mission.

Barely a week to the visit, Juba, the capital city has been exuberant, with billboards coming up and flowers being planted. Roads are being tarmacked and churches renovated in preparation for the rare and unique visit. T-shirts with images of the leaders have also appeared, as traders in the markets increased stocks of Christian items related to the visit, including tiny crucifixes and rosaries, according to sources in the capital.