Eurobishop

Many people know of the two official instruments of the international dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church: ARCIC, (the theological dialogue) and IARCCUM (the episcopal commission on unity and mission, of which I am privileged to serve as the Anglican Co-chairman). Additionally there are many national and regional dialogues (ARCs) and many national and regional periodic gatherings of bishops from both traditions. There is another dimension to our international dialogue which takes its inspiration from a unique initiative in the 1920s, long before Vatican II, and not long after Pope Leo XIII declared in the 1896 Bull Apostolicae Curae that Anglican Orders were "absolutely null and utterly void". I refer to the Malines Conversations. These were held from 1921 to 1926 under the presidency of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, Cardinal Mercier. The conversations involved a small group of Church of England and Roman Catholic...

ANZAC Day falls on the 25 April each year. It is a commemoration to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The Revd Canon Paul Ormrod from St George's Madrid reported that last Wednesday, possibly the first ever ANZAC day service was held in St George's in the Spanish capital. The event began with a conversation that Fr Paul had with someone who works at the Australian Embassy, who attended an event at St George's to promote the cricket team he plays for in Madrid! The service was well attended with the Australian and New Zealand Ambassadors both making speeches.  The service also included a reading in Turkish and English by the Turkish defence attache. There were four national anthems - Australian, New Zealand (sung in Maori and English), Turkish and Spanish. Following the service, the refreshments included "Gallipoli biscuits"! Fittingly, Fr Paul  was joi...

One of the highlights of the Sacred Three Days I spent with Christ Church Vienna was the Easter Vigil. This liturgy is among the most moving in the Church. It begins dramatically on Holy Saturday evening with the blessing of the new fire, and the lighting of the paschal candle. Thankfully, the rain in Vienna held off until the ceremony of the new fire was completed, and the Deacon, who has the most dangerous job in Holy Week, was able to light the paschal candle without setting himself on fire! The Deacon then processed the paschal candle into the dark Church, symbolising the dark tomb where Christ lay dead. Then with blazing candles held by the assembly, he chanted the ancient Exultet , a magnificent hymn, which with lyric beauty announces the joy and mystery of Easter: "This is the night, when Christ broke the chains of death, and rose triumphant from the grave".  Readings and psalmody helped us meditate on the works of God for his people since the beginning of...

Ecumenical leaders at the interchurch Good Friday service There has been an Anglican priest in Vienna serving the British Ambassador and the British community since the late 17th century. The present building dates from 1877. Today the Church, although still closely affiliated to the British Embassy, serves members from over 25 different countries and is a truly multinational and multicultural community. The chaplain, Canon Patrick Curran, also serves the daughter communities in Klagenfurt, Ljubljana and Zagreb. Fr Patrick is assisted by Fr Mike Waltner, the Assistant Curate, and the Revd Dr Robert Kinney, who assists as parish deacon. One of the parish interns on our Church of England intern scheme (CEMES), Philip Milton, is also on placement at Christ Church. On Good Friday, Christ Church hosted an annual service for English speaking Christians of all traditions in the city. Clergy and lay leaders from the Methodist, Roman Catholic, Community Church, and the Church of Sweden ...

Blest by the sun, the olive tree brought clusters of fair fruit to birth whose ripeness now we bring with prayer, Lord Christ, redeemer of the earth. Thus begins the ancient Latin hymn that accompanies the procession of the oils to the altar during the chrism mass to be blessed. The oil of catechumens is used to anoint those who are about to be baptized; the oil of chrism is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders.  The oil of the sick is used in the sacrament of anointing of the sick. This rite of blessing is at the heart of the chrism mass (indeed gives the service its name) and is the most ancient part of this liturgy. Since ancient times bishops gathered with their clergy during Holy Week to bless the oils which would be needed for those to be initiated into the Christian faith at Easter. Today, the priests still join with the bishop in the solemn prayer over the Chrism, recalling our unity in the priestly office.  The public renewal ...

"Costa Almería and Costa Cálida" is a lengthy name for one of our Spanish parishes which covers the most eastern province of Andalucia, and the neighbouring region of Murcia. There are three regular centres of worship, served by their Chaplain, the Revd Vincent Oram, an assistant priest, Canon Alan Bennett, a Reader, Duncan Burr and Church Army Captain Edwin Bates. They are supported by an active group of worship leaders and a Reader in training. Fr Vincent and his wife Robyn come originally from South Africa, and bring a rich experience of ministry in a very different context, and indeed during some of the most difficult times in South Africa. Fr Vincent with his wife Robyn I have been pleased over the years to see this chaplaincy continue to flourish. Fr Vincent, who has only been in post for a couple of months, has already identified persons who may be called to further ministry in the Church, which is very exciting indeed. Another positive sign of Christian life ...

Anglican congregations in Germany can be traced back over 400 years. Originally comprised of migrants from England, the congregations now include people of many nations, languages, and even Christian backgrounds. Today some of the Anglican Churches in Germany are part of the Church of England's Diocese in Europe, while others belong to the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (part of the Episcopal Church, USA). The Council of Anglican and Episcopal Churches in Germany (CAECG) is a body bringing together the congregations of the two jurisdictions, for prayer, worship, to take counsel together and to plan joint activities. CAECG is thus a unique body in the Anglican Communion and a provides a creative forum for our churches from distinct Anglican Provinces to celebrate their shared heritage and forge a common life and mission in Germany. Canon Christopher Jage Bowler and Area Dean Canon John Newsome Two meetings are held each year, one more "business" orien...