Archbishop makes Cross of St Augustine and Lambeth Cross awards

Monday 8th November 2004

The Lambeth Cross was instituted by Archbishop Lang in 1939 to be conferred on Prelates of the Orthodox Churches and on representatives of other Churches in Europe who had rendered exceptional services to the causes of Christian unity and especially to strengthen the relations between these Churches and the Anglican Communion.

Brother Roger founded the Taize community formally in 1949 with seven brothers committing themselves to a life of celibacy, the common life, simplicity and reconciliation. Now over 50 years later there are over 100 brothers made up of Catholics, Anglicans and those from various Protestant traditions from over 25 countries. The community has spread to other parts of the world, with small groups living in poor areas of Africa, Asia, South and North America. Regardless of location the community's life is always based on prayer three times a day. Brother Roger has developed a special affinity with young people for he believes that they instinctively understand the importance of sharing in the world's struggle to overcome suffering. Since 1958 the community has welcomed young adults in increasing numbers to Taize, drawing up to 6,000 each week in summer months.

The Archbishop made awards of the Cross of St Augustine to eleven recipients, whose details follow. The Cross of St Augustine was founded by Archbishop Michael Ramsey. It was first awarded by him on 19 February 1965. It is a circular medallion bearing a replica of the 8th Century Cross of Canterbury and on the reverse side is an engraving of the chair of St Augustine at Canterbury. The ribbon is of "Canterbury Blue" and it is worn around the neck by clergy and on the left breast by lay people.

This award has historically been awarded to clergy and lay people of foreign churches who have contributed conspicuously to advancing friendly relations with the churches of the Anglican Communion. More recently it has also been given for outstanding service within the Church of England whether centrally or in the dioceses, or the Anglican Communion as a whole, and to those who have contributed to advancing relations between the various Christian communions and churches.

The eleven recipients of the Cross of St Augustine were as follows:

The Rt. Revd Kenneth Barham
The Rt Revd Kenneth Barham spent much of his working life running a parish in Kent as well as carrying out missionary work in the Anglican Diocese of Cyangugu in Rwanda. He was appointed Bishop of Cyangugu soon after the genocide in 1994 and has spent the last ten years organising a massive building programme and with his wife fund raising in this country and America. Their building ventures include a Cathedral, a Diocesan Centre, several small churches, schools, a health centre and associated roads. The aim has been to make the diocese self-supporting and to this end a guest house has been built, the income of which will pay for the Diocesan staff. He has now retired as Bishop of Cyangugu but still raises money for the work there and supervises the progress of the building work while the new bishop cares for the Church.

Mrs Linda Borthwick
Mrs Linda Borthwick has retired recently after 27 years involvement with the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education and the last seven years as its director. In her time she has pioneered innovative and valued programmes within the Board, including a publications department and a governor training programme as well as streamlining internal operations. Through her leadership a new Church school, St. Cecelia's, was established in Wandsworth. She has worked and written about combating racism, poverty and inequality at all levels in education.

The Revd Canon Bruce Duncan
Canon Bruce Duncan has recently retired; he was responsible for setting up and running Sarum College, an ecumenical centre in the building that once housed the Salisbury and Wells Theological College. Under his inspired leadership Sarum has become a very successful international Christian college with 30 staff who educate and nurture all who wish to renew themselves and their churches in faith, unity and service.

Dr. Gerre Hancock
Dr Gerre Hancock has given over thirty years' service to the cause of church music in the Episcopal Church in America and to St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue in particular. He is widely thought to be the best of his generation in the United States at improvising on the organ. He has published over two dozen choral works, and has arranged and composed five hymns and over a dozen organ works.

Miss Virginia Johnstone
Miss Virginia Johnstone's award comes in recognition for over forty years' untiring and dedicated work for to the Anglican Centre in Rome in particular, but also to the ecumenical movement and the Church of England in general.

Mr Robert Kidd
Mr Robert Kidd has given 72 years' service to church music in Edinburgh. He sang at two coronations, as a treble in 1937 for George VI and bass in 1953 for the Queen. His primary service, however, has been as an organist, choir master and director of music in two large Edinburgh churches; St Mary's Cathedral and latterly St. John's Church.

Professor Ann Lambton
Professor Ann Lambton is a leading authority on Iran. A former (now Emeritus) Professor of Persian Studies, University of London 1953-1979, she also holds honorary DLitt degrees from Durham and Cambridge. Her award comes in acknowledgement of her work and commitment to Christianity and the Church of England in particular. Formerly Chairman of the Iran Diocesan Association, she served on the Middle East Committee and has advised Archbishops on inter-faith matters. She is a Reader Emeritus in Diocese of Newcastle, still gives lectures, and has delivered Lent lectures biannually to clergy and laity for many years. At age of 92, Professor Lambton still preaches most Sundays.

The Right Reverend Alan Morgan
The Rt Revd Alan Morgan has recently retired as Bishop of Sherwood in the Diocese of Southwell. The main thrust of his ministry has been the pastoral care of and work for reconciliation and reconstruction in fractured societies. His lasting legacy will be his untiring work amongst those affected by the running down and closure of the coal mines and the consequent effects this has had on the mining communities. He served as a member of John Prescott's Coalfield Taskforce in 1997 - looking at the impact pit closures have had on former mining communities throughout the country. He still serves as Chairman of the new Coalfield Regeneration Trust which has already helped numerous deprived and isolated communities.

Ms Jenny Ottewell
Ms Jenny Otwell joined the Church Mission Society as a mission partner in May 1974 and retired two years ago after 27 years service in Uganda. She worked as Education Co-ordinator for two dioceses, based in Fort Portal, Ruwenzori and Hoima, Bunyoro-Kitara. She was later responsible for the training and resourcing of Sunday School, Bible Class and primary school teachers as well as overseeing the primary teacher-training colleges. She also worked on the creation of the Namirembe Resource Centre - giving vocational training for girls.

Captain Philip Slater CA
Captain Philip Slater CA Has served the Royal Navy as a Church Army Captain for 25 years. His is a highly-regarded anchorman for ever-changing chaplaincy team, has served as a bridge between navy personnel and civilians by caring for sailors' families and retired naval folk.

The Revd Canon Robert Warren
Canon Robert Warren enjoyed a 20 year parish ministry at St. Thomas Crookes, Sheffield where Sunday worshippers increased from 200 to 1,400. He became known as a gifted speaker on a range of subjects from leadership skills and change management, to prayer and evangelism. 1993 he became the Church of England's National Officer for Evangelism where he concentrated on building missionary congregations and was one of the authors of Emmaus, a course to welcome people into the Church. In 1998 he became a full time member of Springboard, an initiative set up by Lord Carey to work across the traditions of the Church to support and resource evangelism and has recently retired.

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