Eurobishop

Here is something of interest to those in the diocese and beyond, who are keen to learn about our Anglican Communion's official dialogue and relations with the Roman Catholic Church. (And perhaps to know what it is I do as Co-Chairman of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission!) This is a series of 3 seminars, online, sponsored by the Anglican Centre in Rome. The official invitation is here: H.G. Archbishop Ian, Director of The Anglican Centre in Rome, is delighted to invite you to attend ACR Petertide  online interactive course subdivided into three sessions on Ecumenism, examining the work of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) and the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM). Course one, on the history and foundations of Arcic I and the beginnings of Arcic II and the Lambeth Conference of 1988, will be held on Monday 29 June – the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Speakers wi...

On Friday 12 June at 12 noon Central European Time (11.00 am British Summer Time) there will be a service of  prayer, scripture, silence of 8 minutes and 46 seconds, and blessing, in solidarity with BAME communities around the world.  This will be a brief service (about 15 minutes in total) at the hour when Our Lord hung upon the cross. It will be led by some of the BAME clergy of the diocese.  We offer this moment to come together to repent of the sin of racism, to pray for an end to injustice, to give thanks for the beautiful diversity of humanity, and to be strengthened for action that will make a difference.  Please join us.  Just follow this link to the live stream (available from about 11.30 am CET/10.30 am BST) on the Diocese in Europe YouTube.   Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash

Today the Church remembers the Martyrs of Uganda, young Africans, of Anglican and Roman Catholic background who were put to death by the Ugandan King Mwanga, who despised people of religious faith.  At this time across the United States of America and even here in London, demonstrations continue protesting the murder of another black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis. As we know he was mercilessly pinned down by the knee of a white police officer, begging to be able to breathe, until he died. Other police officers looked on.  While the world searches for a cure and a vaccine against coronavirus - how we need still to find a cure and a vaccine for the racism that is still so pervasive in our societies.  We Christians believe in the equality  of all peoples  and value the richness that comes with racial and ethnic diversity. Racism is a sin; as such we must oppose it in all its forms.  The Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued this statement con...

Many people across the diocese will remember Sylvia Brantingham, the cheerful and helpful receptionist and office assistant at the Diocesan Office in Westminster, who retired several years ago.  Sylvia died on the morning of Pentecost, last Sunday 31 May, after a battle with cancer. She was a faithful member of St Pancras Old Church in London, and her parish priest was able to bring her Holy Communion and minister the last rites to her that morning and be with her as she passed into the loving arms of God.  Sylvia's Christian devotion was both humble and inspiring. Bron Panter our Office Manager knew her well and even recalls getting a bit cross with her as she would quietly disappear to say her midday prayers! I also recall how Sylvia never wasted a moment; in the midst of the busy-ness of answering doors, phone calls, preparing refreshments for visitors and meetings, sorting post, and other general office duties, if she had a spare moment, she would be found at her desk ...

Canon Sabry (Casablanca), retired Archdeacon Geoff Johnston, and Rebecca Boardman USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) is one the oldest mission agencies in the Anglican Communion. Founded in 1701, it has been a partner to Churches and communities world-wide, including the Diocese in Europe. It sees its partnership as a way to "enliven faith, strengthen relationships, unlock potential and champion justice". It is a little known fact that over half of the communities in the Diocese in Europe owe their origin to USPG (or SPG as it was known then) support and sponsorship. Today, USPG supports our work with migrants and refugees in France, Germany, Greece and Morocco. The Mission and Public Affairs Unit of the Diocese, chaired by Archdeacon Leslie Nathaniel, has a member from USPG on the unit. Rebecca Boardman has been a close collaborator, particularly on migration and refugee issues, for over 5 years.   At a recent meeting of the MPA unit Rebecca in her repor...

At Palazzo Chigi, Abp Ian Ernest with Prime Minister Conte to his right Slowly, slowly, in some parts of the Diocese, steps are being taken to return to public worship in our church buildings. For instance, today 18 May, a special Protocol which was signed last Friday by the Italian Prime Minister, Professor Avv. Guiseppe Conte and Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome (acting on behalf of the Association of the Church of England in Italy) came into effect. The Protocol is detailed and provides instructions to be followed in liturgical celebrations and includes measures to be observed around social distancing, compulsory use of facemasks and other forms of protection, and the disinfection of church premises. The signing ceremony at the Palazzo Chigi was also attended by Dr Wendy Wyver, First Political Counsellor of the United Kingdom Embassy in Italy (and a member of All Saints in Rome). Incidentally, this Protocol is a fruit of the fact t...

Tomorrow, 14 May, is an international, interreligious day of prayer to ask God to lift this pandemic from the world, and to inspire scientists to find a cure for the disease. The inspiration for this comes from the "Higher Committee for Human Fraternity" which was set up when Pope Francis visited Abu Dhabi last year. The initiative transcends religious boundaries and invites all religious people to appeal to God, in accordance with their own faith and teachings.  Pope Francis has released a video which I post here to motivate us all. In it he calls on all believers, adherents of all religions to pray, fast and perform works of charity tomorrow. Dr Clare Amos, our Director of Lay Discipleship, was previously the Interfaith Director at the World  Council of Churches. She has composed this prayer which I commend for use: God of life, Creator of all,  Your reach stretches beyond the farthest stars that we can see,  Yet you are nearer to us than our o...