Anglican Communion
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion - a first among equals (“primus inter pares”) amongst fellow bishops.
The Anglican Communion is the third largest international denomination, after the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. It has over 80 million members, spread across 38 Provinces in 164 countries. Each of these Provinces is autonomous, with its own system of governance and senior archbishop or bishop ("Primate"). The Communion is not held together by a formal constitution or international church law, but rather by a shared heritage and what are termed "bonds of affection", by formal "Instruments of Communion" and through the Archbishop of Canterbury acting as a unique focus of unity. This sense of common identity has been nourished over many years by direct encounter and companion relationships at many levels. The Archbishop of Canterbury plays a leading role in nurturing the interdependent life of the Communion by visiting Provinces, convening meetings, facilitating initiatives, contributing to theological reflection and exercising a pivotal role within the Instruments of Communion.
See also: The Archbishop in the Anglican Communion: An Historical Note
Recent items relating to Anglican Communion are shown below:
June 2008
Archbishop responds to GAFCON statement
30 June 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has responded to the final declaration of the Global…
Archbishop on the forthcoming Lambeth Conference
19 June 2008
Article in Outlook, the Canterbury Diocesan Newsletter
May 2008
Archbishops call on UN for mediation and protection in Zimbabwe
29 May 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of Cape Town yesterday spoke to Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary…
Archbishop unveils plans for London event to challenge global governments to reach targets on tackling poverty
29 May 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today announced plans to mount an unprecedented…
Archbishop of Canterbury's Pentecost Letter to the Bishops of the Anglican Communion
12 May 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today sent an open letter to the bishops of the…
Archbishop - Prayers for Burma
7 May 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has written to the Anglican church in Burma following…
April 2008
Video: Archbishop - Pray for Zimbabwe
24 April 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, after giving joint interviews with the Archbishop of…
Archbishop condemns recent violence against lesbian and gay people
9 April 2008
In response to reports of violence and threats towards Christians involved in the debate on human sexuality,…
February 2008
Debate on a Covenant for the Anglican Communion
13 February 2008
Archbishop's Contribution at the General Synod
Archbishop appoints Windsor Continuation Group
12 February 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury announced the formation of the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG), as proposed…