Eurobishop

The Archdeacon of Italy and Malta, pondering a point The parish of St Mark's Florence has been hosting a series of public lectures on the Anglican Tradition with the intriguing title, "Miracles of Anglicanism". As I was already in Florence on Diocesan Board of Finance business last week, I was able to hear one of the lectures given by the Archdeacon of Italy & Malta, the Venerable Jonathan Boardman. He examined the issues often asked about Anglicans particularly with the ordination or women to the priesthood, and now, in the Church of England, to the episcopate. His lecture was very engaging, and provoked an interesting discussion following. Fr Jonathan drew on references to three Florences, an ingenious approach given the location. The three were the Revd Florence Li Tim Oi, who was ordained to the priesthood in Hong Kong in 1944, Florence Nightingale, a spiritual director to many men, and Florence Margaret (Stevie) Smith, the poet. St Mark's, Florence

Bishop Angaelos Today I received the statement which is below from Bishop Angaelos who is a dear friend and close ecumenical colleague. I was able to send to him a message of solidarity and assurance of prayer following the murder of the Coptic Christians in Egypt. I was also able to be in touch with the Revd Darren McCallig, the Chaplain of St Alban's Copenhagen, following the attacks in that city last weekend. The prayers of the people of this diocese continue Loving God, Welcome into your arms the victims of violence and terrorism. Comfort their families and all who grieve for them. Help us in our fear and uncertainty, And bless us with the knowledge that we are secure in your love. Strengthen all those who work for peace, And may the peace the world cannot give reign in our hearts. _____________________ 16 February 2015 Coptic Orthodox Church UK Media and Communications Office Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe) Media and Communications Office Statement by His

I will be on study leave until 11 April, so there may be many fewer posts during this time. Best wishes to all readers.

The Diocese in Europe has a healthy number of vocations to the ordained ministry, and continues to encourage and foster vocations. The Director of Ordinands, William Gulliford (pictured far left above, who is also Vicar of St Mark’s Regent’s Park, where the above was taken) hosts a weekend each year for those embarking on the process of discernment. From 6-8 February 15 enquirers coming from across the diocese attended a three day conference, which included talks, visits and exercises designed to prepare those at this early stage for what lies ahead. The discernment team from the diocese included the the Revd Canon Meurig Williams, the Revd Deacon Frances Hiller, the Revd Douglas Emmott, the new Vocations Adviser for France, the Revd Nigel Stimpson, the new ADO for Spain, as well as former ordinands from the diocese, some now in others dioceses. Sonia Taylor, Senior Vocations Adviser for France gave a talk on Spiritual Direction and Discernment. The Revd Matthias Grebe of Bonn and

Martin Scicluna delivering his lecture 1,955 years ago St Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta. The Pro-Cathedral of St Paul in Valetta celebrated this feast on Sunday 8 February. The principal celebration in Malta and Gozo is on 10 February, a national holiday on the islands. The event is recorded in chapter 27 of the Acts of the Apostles, of course, The Anglican celebration included a festive Mass in the Pro-Cathedral, followed by a lecture, which this year was given by Martin Scicluna, the Director of  the Today Public Policy Institute and a well known commentator on Maltese society. His lecture was on the "Henry II Syndrome", the intricacies of Church-State relations. The High Altar of St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valetta The Anglican Pro-Cathedral gives high priority to ecumenical relations on the islands. The Chancellor, the Revd Canon Simon Godfrey, has nurtured very close links with the majority Roman Catholic Church. The warmth of ecumenical life w

  On Sunday 8 February 2015, Roman Catholics around the world will celebrate the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. This date falls on the Feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese slave who later became a nun and was canonised in 2000. This initiative is the latest in growing worldwide efforts from across the Church to address the human rights violations and crimes associated with the trafficking of human beings. Human trafficking has long been a priority area for the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the fellowship of 114 Anglican, Orthodox, Old Catholic and Protestant Churches in Europe. CEC's work in this area is in very close relationship with the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), seeking response to the complex social and political dimensions of the problem. Additionally, cooperation between CEC and the Roman Catholic Church in Europe (through the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European C

Today's feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple draws our Christmas cycle to an end. On this day we light extra candles, and as Simeon and Anna greeted the Christ Child, the light of the world, in the temple, we pray that we may be filled with the light of his love. "The true light has come, the light that enlightens every one who is born into this world. Let all of us, my brothers and sisters, be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let all of us share in its splendour, and be so filled with it that no one remains in the darkness. Let us be shining ourselves as we go together to meet and to receive with the aged Simeon the light whose brilliance is eternal. Rejoicing with Simeon, let us sing a hymn of thanksgiving to God, the Father of the light, who sent the true light to dispel the darkness and to give us all a share in his splendour". (From a sermon by St Sophronius of Damascus, circa 560).