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:
March 2007
Millennium Development Goals are Key Communion Objectives
6 March 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that the Millennium Development Goals provide…
Anglican Communion Challenges Require 'Generosity and Patience' - Archbishop's Letter to Primates
5 March 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said that generosity and patience will be required…
Visit to South Africa and Angola
1 March 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury is to visit South Africa and Angola as part of a visit to the Anglican Province…
February 2007
The Anglican Communion - Archbishop's Presidential Address to General Synod
26 February 2007
The Archbishop on the Primates' Meeting in Tanzania
Why the Anglican Communion Matters
23 February 2007
The following article appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Friday 23rd February, 2007. It followed on from…
Final Press Conference at Tanzania Primates' Meeting
20 February 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury made the following remarks at a press conference at the close of the Anglican…
Scars of Slavery Still With Us
19 February 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said the scars of slavery are still with modern…
Archbishop Hails Tanzania's 'Impressive Progress'
16 February 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has paid tribute to the progress made in Tanzania since…
'Amazing Grace' - sermon at Zanzibar Cathedral
7 February 2007
A sermon given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at a service in Christ Church Cathedral…
January 2007
Archbishop announces Covenant Design Group members
7 January 2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury today announced the members of the Covenant Design Group that he has appointed…