Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, has been awarded a Lambeth Degree by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in recognition of his service to the Anglican Communion and more than 50 years of ordained ministry, marked by reconciliation, diplomacy and peace-building.
Presenting the Doctorate of Divinity, Archbishop Justin said that throughout his ministry and extensive international travels, Dr Idowu-Fearon had “never forgotten his primary calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Today’s award was presented under powers granted to the Archbishop in the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533. The award of Lambeth Degrees is relatively rare – only four have been granted in the past 10 years.
The Doctorate of Divinity was presented to Dr Idowu-Fearon on the penultimate day of the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, Kent. More than 650 bishops are present in person at the once-a-decade meeting of Anglican bishops and more are participating online.
Dr Idowu-Fearon will step down as Secretary General at the end of August. He will be succeeded by Bishop Anthony Poggo.
