The Archbishop of Canterbury has written to the leaders of the 40 autonomous Churches in the Anglican Communion to invite them to attend a Primates’ Meeting in January 2020. Primates’ Meetings are one of four “Instruments of Communion” within the Anglican Communion. The last one took place in Canterbury in October 2017. The 2020 meeting will be in the Jordanian capital Amman from 13 to 17 January.
Archbishop Justin announced the meeting in an Epiphany letter to his fellow-Primates last month. He gave further details in a subsequent letter this month.
In his Epiphany letter, Archbishop Justin spoke of the “long and agonising” list of difficulties facing Christians across the world, including violence, corruption, poverty, religious-based discrimination and climate-change related rises in water levels. But, he said, “it is our vocation to be bearers of joy . . . in the midst of the real troubles of our world.”
The Communiqué from the Primates’ Meeting in October 2017 explained that a series of regional Primates’ Meetings would take place in the run-up to the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops in 2020; and said that the Archbishop of Canterbury would consider whether to call a full Primates’ Meeting in advance of it too. In his Epiphany letter, Archbishop Justin explained why he had now decided to call such a meeting.
“When we come together at the Lambeth Conference in 2020, we will speak of holiness seeking to ensure that we aim to be a holy church”, he said. “We will reflect on intentional discipleship and the proclamation in word and deed. We will pray together and find the refreshment of worship in many styles. We will gather in fellowship and mutual love.
“Yet to get there we must prepare. We must prepare in witness, so that we arrive in Canterbury like the 70 (Luke 10:17), full of joy and testimony. We must prepare in worship, so that we are able to worship with others.
“I have been privileged to spend time with some of you at three regional Primates’ Meetings in 2018 and I’m looking forward to three more this year. Following on from these regional meetings, it is my intention to call a meeting of all Primates in January 2020. It is my hope that you will all be able to attend and that together we will be able to take forward the richly diverse conversations that we have enjoyed at regional level.”
One of three regional Primates’ Meetings this year took place earlier this month in Amman for leaders from the Middle East and south Asia. The leaders of other Asian provinces will gather in Kuala Lumpur in October. European Anglican leaders will gather in Northern Ireland later this month.
In his latest letter, Archbishop Justin confirmed that he wanted the Primates to decide the agenda together, as had been the practice in recent Meetings. But he said that he wanted the Primates to discuss the 2020 Lambeth Conference; and also the work of the Archbishop’s Task Group, which was established following the 2016 Primates’ Meeting to explore ways to restore relationships, rebuild mutual trust and responsibility, heal the legacy of hurt and explore deeper relationships within the Anglican Communion.
“The Task Group is preparing a report and recommendations for the 2020 Primates’ Meeting”, Archbishop Justin said. “One of its recommendations, which has my strong support, is to have a short season of Prayer and Repentance across the Communion during the fifth week of Lent 2020.”
He said that he hoped that the Season would be formally launched and committed to at the Primates’ Meeting; but he wanted to give primates early notice so that they could plan for the Season in their provinces.
Well, I can’t wait for the next letter from Archbishop Okoh when he will fisk this bull (insert word used by the Archbishop of Canterbury to describe Kevin and George).
I think the meeting is in Jordan, not Canterbury, unless I misunderstand.
You are correct, Dr. The last sentence of the first paragraph above: “The 2020 meeting will be in the Jordanian capital Amman from 13 to 17 January.”
I hope Foley Beech doesn’t try to crash the party with a bemused Justine Welby looking on like last time with an indulgent smile. It’s over. Be done with it. The Protector of the Faith, Queen Elisabeth, isn’t going to suddenly step in and save the church anymore than she has done to save the empire. Welby is her boy. She has not so much as raised an eyebrow in his direction.
I’m getting frankly fed up of all Brother Justin’s comments on holiness and love. He really is a white sepulchre; gleaming on the outside but inside full of desolation. He speaks of things he doesn’t practice, endorses lifestyles contrary to scripture, and frequently goes back on his word, all the while seeking to please the world.
If he had any Christian integrity he would do the decent thing and resign and let someone who truly cares about holiness and godly living take on the role.
I’d like to be charitable to him and say we all make mistakes, but he is just a people pleaser in my opinion, and someone propagating the false gospel of love over Godly standards, living, and integrity in my view.
Oh, and to describe Kevin and George as excrement really says it all – explain how that fits into you mantra Brother Justin. Oh and let’s not forget he can’t admit he’s wrong either and apologise.
Still nothing will change will it, not until the remaining faithful Anglicans in the CofE vote with their feet and leave, and leave in big numbers.
I daresay, Fr. K, that the only way in which there can be a good outcome is if the next ABoC is another “Thomas Becket.” That is to say, someone chosen specifically for their secular abilities and personal connections (ie- chosen because they have an MBA, went to the right grammar school, are considered a good manager, appear quite liberal, and libertine), but once consecrated gives themselves over to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the doctrine of the Apostolic faith. But if such happens, it will be a complete surprise to the CNC, which would never intentionally select such a candidate.
What we need is a good old fashioned man of God from the frontline. One who loves God with all that he is, and who is Spirit led and courageous. We need a prophet.
Sadly all we get is MBA, right school tie buffoons.