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:
February 2008
Presidential Address to the Opening of General Synod February 2008
11 February 2008
Videos and transcripts of the presidential address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams,…
January 2008
Launch of Lambeth Conference 2008
21 January 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams launched the official programme for the Lambeth Conference…
Questions and Answers from the Launch of Lambeth Conference
21 January 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and his wife Mrs Jane Williams, answer questions about…
Statement on Zimbabwe
14 January 2008
Lambeth Palace's statement in response to reports that some Anglican church services in Harare have been…
December 2007
The Archbishop's Advent Letter to Primates, 2007
14 December 2007
Letter sent to Primates of the Anglican Communion & Moderators of the United Churches, 14 December 2007.
November 2007
Best Wishes for Korea Peace Conference
9 November 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury has held discussions with the Rt Revd Dr Robin Eames, former Archbishop…
October 2007
Archbishops' Slavery Film Shares Top Media Prize
12 October 2007
A film showing the shaken reactions of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on seeing the site of a…
September 2007
Bishop of Uyo, Nigeria - briefing note from Lambeth Palace
20 September 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his relief at receiving assurances over…
August 2007
Tribute to Former Archbishop of Wales
13 August 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to the former Archbishop of Wales, the Right Rev Alwyn Rice…
June 2007
A Clarification in Relation to the Times Report
29 June 2007
In the Times report of 29 June stating that 'Gene Robinson is to be invited to the Lambeth Conference…