wfn.org | Reception launches new book by Archbishop of Canterbury

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

ACNS LC036 - 22 July 1998

By Lisa Barrowclough
Lambeth Conference Communications

Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey launched his newest book,
Canterbury Letters to the Future, at a reception sponsored July
21 at the University of Kent by Kingsway Publications.

Archbishop Carey was inspired on St. Thomas's Day 13 years ago,
when he saw a group of young children playing outside the West
Front of Canterbury Cathedral. The Archbishop said he was struck
by a great contrast as he viewed the scene - a background of rich
history that included the martyrdom of Archbishop Thomas Beckett
in 1170, and a foreground of the future that was yet to be
written in the lives of the children.

In his introduction to the book, Archbishop Carey said he set out
to write some "letters to the future" - to share with his
grown-up grandchildren "the things we have most surely believed,
the Christian faith which, inherited from the past, we have made
our own." The Archbishop's book, which includes 10 letters, is
intended as "a book on Christian doctrine for lay people." It was
written in cooperation with theologian Dr. Ruth Etchells.

Dr. Carey extended many thanks during the reception, and
particularly, he said, to his grandchildren "because the future
belongs to you."

Eileen Carey, wife of the Archbishop, also was given the
opportunity to speak about her book, The Bishop and I, written
with the help of her son, Andrew Carey, deputy editor of the
Church of England newspaper. It was published two months ago, but
"it has only come to reality at this conference because the
contributors are here," she said.  

Mrs. Carey thanked Michelle and Frances Chang Him, twin daughters
of French Chang Him, Bishop of Seychelles in the Province of the
Indian Ocean, who are working at the Lambeth Conference as
volunteer stewards. They contributed the final chapter which is
the story of their mother, Susie Chang Him, who died of cancer
and in whose memory the book is dedicated. "Susie died before she
could tell her story," said Mrs. Carey. Mrs. Carey expressed
sincere thanks to all of the bishops' spouses who "entrusted" her
with their stories and allowed their experiences to be shared in
this collection.

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