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:
April 2005
Archbishop - welcome for Canada statement
28 April 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has welcomed the statement issued on April 27th by the…
March 2005
An Easter Message to the Anglican Communion
22 March 2005
From the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, highlighting the resolve of the Primates of the…
Archbishop - welcome for 'constructive' Covenant statement
16 March 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has welcomed the Covenant statement issued yesterday…
February 2005
Sermon at Evensong in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh
22 February 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, gave the following sermon at a service of Choral Evensong…
General Synod: Speech in Debate on the Windsor Report
17 February 2005
A speech made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
January 2005
Installation of the Revd Canon Kenneth Kearon as Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
18 January 2005
An address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
December 2004
Lambeth Conference 2008
10 December 2004
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced that the next Lambeth Conference is to…
November 2004
Archbishop's Advent Pastoral Letter to Primates and Moderators of the United Churches
27 November 2004
From the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
October 2004
Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury on the Windsor Report
18 October 2004
From the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
Letter sent to Archbishop Robin Eames on publication of the Windsor Report
15 October 2004
The following letter was written by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.