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:
October 2005
One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church
28 October 2005
Archbishop's Address to the 3rd Global South to South Encounter Ain al Sukhna, Egypt
Archbishop - 'earthquake tragedy'
9 October 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent a message to church leaders in Pakistan and…
August 2005
Forget the tea and cakes. How the Mothers' Union is riding to the rescue of Africa
7 August 2005
An article by the Archbishop of Canterbury published in the Independent on Sunday.
July 2005
Archbishop - Education crucial to Africa
20 July 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has urged the development of university education in…
Archbishop's tribute to Burundi's Anglican Church
18 July 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams - who is on an official four-day visit to Burundi - has…
Sermon at the enthronement of Rt Revd Bernard Ntahoturi as Archbishop of Burundi
15 July 2005
An address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium,…
Archbishop to visit Burundi, 15-21 July 2005
14 July 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will preach at the enthronement service of the Rt Revd…
Presidential Address - General Synod, York, July 2005
11 July 2005
The Presidential Address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
June 2005
Sermon at the Diocesan Celebration for the 13th Meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council
26 June 2005
A sermon given by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the Diocesan Celebration for the…
Archbishop's Presidential Address - 13th Meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council
20 June 2005
An address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the 13th Meeting of the Anglican Consultative…