The Dean of St Mark’s Pro-Cathedral in Alexandria has joined the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Task Group, set up in response to the Primates Gathering and Meeting in January. The Very Rev Samy Fawzy Shehata, who is also the principal of Alexandria School of Theology, replaces the Moderator of the Church of South India, Bishop Govada Dyvasirvadam. The Task Group was requested by the Primates, and is tasked with restoring relationships, rebuilding mutual trust, healing the legacy of hurt, and exploring the deep differences that exist within the Anglican Communion.

The group held its first meeting at the Anglican Communion Offices in September, and agreed to meet in person annually with other meetings via videoconferencing.

The other members of the task group are Archbishop Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland; Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, US-based Episcopal Church; Archbishop Ian Ernest, Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean; Archbishop Philip Freier, Anglican Church of Australia; Archbishop Ng Moon Hing, Province of South East Asia; Canon Rosemary Mbogo, Anglican Church of Kenya; Bishop Linda Nicholls, Anglican Church of Canada; Canon Elizabeth Paver, Church of England; and Bishop Paul Sarker, Church of Bangladesh.

The secretary general of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, is the group’s secretary. He said today: “I am delighted that Dr Shehata has accepted the invitation to join the Task Group. His experience and insight make him a valuable addition to the group. I look forward to him joining our discussions in the New Year.”