wfn.org | ACNS3442 Archbishop of Canterbury speaks at St Alban's

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3442	     |		 ENGLAND	     |		 17 MAY 2003 
  

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks at St Alban's Conference on Christian Unity

by Matthew Davies 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, delivered a
keynote address today at St Alban's Abbey, Hertfordshire, as part of a major
conference on Christian Unity. 

The Director of the St Alban's Centre for Christian Studies, Canon Iain Lane,
said that the conference, entitled May they all be one...but how?, "aims to
stimulate, encourage and inspire a renewed commitment to discover a form of
unity which is practical and achievable in the next generation." 

During the welcome, the Very Revd Christopher Lewis, Dean of St Alban's
Abbey, emphasized that Christian Unity and Ecumenism are central to the life
of the church. The Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, Bishop of St Alban's,
announced that there are more ecumenical partnerships in the diocese than any
other in the United Kingdom. 

In his address, Archbishop Rowan stressed the importance of prayer and
mission and explained that unity is when people are drawn into Jesus' own
relationship with God the Father. "Unity relies on the everlasting fact of
self-giving," he said. "It is most fundamentally what is happening in
Jesus...contemplative emersion in His relationship to the Father."

As a framework to exploring Christian Unity, Dr Williams defined four
pillars: Contemplation; Pilgrimage; Festival; and Service. "Pilgrimage is
being rediscovered through a Christian action. Walking together becomes a
transforming reality.... Festival is celebrating together.... Service is a
celebration of what calls us in Christ's name."

Furthermore, Archbishop Rowan said that the church is a community where
Christ gives in each to all. "When we recognise this we know God's eternal
giving," he said. "Recognition of the gift that God gives - that seems to be
a category that encapsulates everything that I've been trying to say about
prayer and mission being fundamental to unity."

The Archbishop also talked about his intentions for the Anglican Gathering of
bishops, clergy and laity in 2008 as being a chance for exploration and
celebration as opposed to a forum for discussing issues. 

The other keynote speakers were Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the
Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity and a leading
Catholic theologian; and the Revd Elizabeth Welch, Moderator of the General
Assembly of the United Reformed Church 2001/2 and a former member of the
Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. 

The conference was jointly organised by: the Newman Association, the Catholic
organisation promoting an informed laity; the Society for Ecumenical Studies,
an organisation committed to the search for Christian unity through dialogue,
study, and mutual understanding; and the St Alban's Centre for Christian
Studies, an ecumenical centre for Christian learning based at St Alban's
Cathedral. 

A CD of edited highlights of the day will be available from Churches Together
in England, 27 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HH, UK.

A video is also being produced and can be obtained from: MEDIA INK, 28
Waverley Road, St Albans, Herts, AL3 5PE, UK. Email:
bobwalters@btinternet.com
 
Photo available at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/34/25/acns3442.html

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