Two new Churches enter the Porvoo Communion

Archbishop Rozitis of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad, signs the Porvoo Agreement
On 19 September, at the close of the meeting of Porvoo Church Leaders, the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad (LELCA) and the Lutheran Church in Great Britain (LCiGB) signed the Porvoo Declaration. The signing was during a solemn celebration of the Eucharist in the chapel at Bishopthorpe Palace, York, at which the Most Revd Antje Jackelén, Archbishop of Uppsala, preached and the Most Revd Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, presided.

Archbishop Almars Ernsts Rozitis of the LELCA and Bishop Martin Lind of the LCiGB signed on behalf of their Churches.

This "extension" of the Porvoo Communion came after a period of observer status for these Churches and eventual approval by the Porvoo Primates and members of the Contact Group. The welcoming of these Churches into the Communion makes possible the interchangeability of their priests with those of the other Churches of the Porvoo Communion, including our own Church of England.

Bishop Martin Lind (LCiGB) and Archbishop Elmars Rozitis (LELCA) flanked by the Archbishops of Dublin and York and the Bishop of Copenhagen and Presiding Bishop of Norway

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