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:
December 2006
Christmas Message to the Heads of Churches
25 December 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury sent the following Christmas Day message to Heads of Churches across the…
Cautious Welcome for TEC Proposals
1 December 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has given a cautious welcome to proposals outlined by…
November 2006
Archbishop presents top Award to Archbishop Eames
16 November 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, made a presentation of the highest award in the Anglican…
Archbishop's Greeting to Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on her Installation as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
4 November 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, sent the following message of greeting to the new Presiding…
September 2006
Prayers for the 'Ordinary People of God' as Covenant Plans Progress: Letter to Primates and Presiding Bishops
15 September 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken today of his prayers for ordinary churchgoers…
Prayer for Darfur
15 September 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury has joined other faith leaders in expressing renewed concern for Darfur…
Archbishop's Response to New York Statement by TEC
13 September 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has responded today to the statement issued earlier…
July 2006
Message of Sympathy for Mumbai Victims
14 July 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has today sent a message of sympathy for victims of the…
Archbishop's Address to the Synod
7 July 2006
The Archbishop gave the Presidential Address to the General Synod of England, at the York group of Sessions.…
June 2006
The Challenge and Hope of Being an Anglican Today: A Reflection for the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion
27 June 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has today set out his thinking on the future of the Anglican…