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 2006
Sudan - Sermon at a Displaced Person's Camp in Khartoum
26 February 2006
The Archbishop visited southern Sudan, to offer support to Christian communities and to those projects…
Archbishop to Encourage Peace and Development in Sudan
17 February 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to visit Sudan next week and will mark the start…
December 2005
Simon Mayo Interview on BBC Radio 5 live
6 December 2005
The Archbishop was interviewed live on the Simon Mayo show on BBC Radio 5 live on December 6th, about…
Advent Letter sent by the Archbishop of Canterbury
5 December 2005
The Archbishop announces the 2008 Lambeth Conference as "a sign of hope for our Communion and of trust…
November 2005
Pakistan Sunday Programme
27 November 2005
Transcript of an interview for BBC Radio 4's Sunday Programme, following the Archbishop's return from…
Archbishop's Visit to Pakistan
24 November 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has begun an eight-day visit to Pakistan with a church…
Statement from Lambeth Palace following publication of the Global South Primates' Letter
17 November 2005
Lambeth Palace has issued the following statement following the publication of a letter from Primates…
Archbishop to visit Pakistan at 'crucial time'
16 November 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to visit Pakistan next week at what he says is a…
General Synod London Sessions, 15-16 November 2005 Archbishop's Presidential Address
16 November 2005
The Presidential Address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
Archbishop - 'friendly but candid' meeting with Bishop Gene Robinson
3 November 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, held a meeting this morning with Bishop Gene Robinson…