wfn.org | BACKGROUND BRIEFING NOTES - LAMBETH 98

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

ACNS LC014 - 18 July 1998

Lambeth Conference... at-a-glance

The largest-ever Lambeth Bishops' Conference brings 735 Anglican
bishops to Canterbury. 

It's the largest Anglican Conference ever because for the first
time assistant bishops (Suffragan and Co-adjutor bishops) are
attending as well as diocesan bishops.

Bishops from Africa (224) comprise the largest group from one
continent. 

Regional figures for number of bishops attending, based on
latest-available arrivals:

224 Africa

177 North America

139 United Kingdom & Europe

 95 Asia

 56 Australia, New Zealand & Oceania

 41 Central & South America

  4 Middle East

More than 630 spouses are expected to attend a simultaneous
Spouses' Programme.

As a major international church event, the Lambeth Conference is
also attracting 38 observers from 24 major churches (Roman
Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) and ecumenical groups (World
Council of Churches, World Alliance of Reformed Churches).

In addition to bishops, approximately 50 lay and clergy members
of the international Anglican umbrella body, the Anglican
Consultative Council, are also at Lambeth.

A truly international event, the conference's business sessions
will be translated by on-site interpreters into seven languages:
English, French, Spanish, Portugese, Arabic, Swahili and
Japanese. 

The dining rooms of the University of Kent campus will serve more
than 80,000 meals during the three-week conference.

For further information, contact:

Lambeth Conference Communications
Canterbury Business School
University of Kent at Canterbury
Telephone: 01227 827348/9
Fax: 01227 828085
Mobile: 0374 800212

http://www.lambethconference.org