In recent weeks, the organising teams for the Lambeth Conference have been prayerfully thinking through the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the plans and preparations for this important event.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Lambeth Conference Company has been monitoring the situation and following advice from public health authorities.
The public health risk of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom has now been assessed as ‘high’ by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers and a wide range of governmental measures are in place to respond to the health crisis.
Following consultation with the Lambeth Conference Design Group, Primates and trustees of the Lambeth Conference Company, The Archbishop of Canterbury has taken the important decision to reschedule the Lambeth Conference to the summer of 2021.
This significant meeting of Anglican bishops and spouses will continue to be planned- with an exciting and engaging programme, being held in the same venue at the University of Kent and Canterbury Cathedral – just one year on.
Prioritising the health and safety of our event attendees
We recognise that this will be a significant disappointment for all those registered to attend. Whether it’s as an event delegate; participating in the hospitality programme; contributing to the conference programme; being part of our Resource Centre or serving as a volunteer or steward at the event. Especially as the Lambeth Conference in 2020 was set to be the largest conference yet.
However, the health and safety of our event attendees is our utmost priority. In addition, the global travel restrictions and quarantine implications will present many people with huge challenges in their travel plans.
We also recognise bishops and spouses attending the Lambeth Conference will be playing a vital leadership and pastoral role in their Provinces and dioceses as together the Anglican Communion seeks to respond to COVID-19 around the globe.
What happens next?
We are looking forward to creating a wonderful event for all registered attendees for 2021 and welcoming you to Canterbury. However, in the meantime, we know that there will be many questions from our event community about this announcement.
- If you are registered to attend the conference in 2020, your registration will now be carried forwards until 2021.
- Any new bishops that take up their post before 2021 will also be invited to register.
- As far as possible, arrangements for the Big Hello (the conference hospitality programme) will also be carried forwards.
- If you are contributing to the conference programme as a plenary speaker, seminar host or have been invited to lead a Eucharist or Evening Prayer service – we will be in touch about planning for 2021.
- If you are supporting the event as a volunteer or steward, we invite you to work with us in 2021.
- We recognise that some bishops due to attend will be retiring by 2021. Please contact our conference team for more guidance.
Click here to read answers to Frequently Asked Questions
We will continue to update our Frequently Asked Questions page and send regular emails when we have news to share. Translations will be made of all key communications as far as possible.
Should you have any urgent questions please click here to get in touch.
We thank you for your patience as our event team seeks to respond.
Praying for the Anglican Communion – God’s Church for God’s World
Please join us in praying for the Anglican Communion worldwide, as we seek to be God’s Church for God’s World in this difficult time. To join the Prayer Journey and with others praying for the life of the Anglican Communion click here.
