Fruits have been borne following meetings with Primates and bishops of the Anglican Communion.  The presence of Anglicans from around the world in the life and work of the Centre is felt . Apart from their participation at the Webinars organised in the past two years, we have had, in the course of this year, bishops and clergy from South East Asia participating in the Pilgrimage on St Paul’s sites held in June. Young people from the Diocese of Kuching were also present in Lisbon at the Ecumenical Gathering organised in the context of the World Youth Day hosted by His Holiness Pope Francis.

 

As for Italy and Europe, there is quite an encouraging momentum as regards the relationship with the Diocese of Europe and the Episcopal Convocation in Europe. The Director was present in Utrecht, in the Netherlands, at a summer school led by the Convocation in collaboration with the University. He preached at the inaugural service and then presented in the introductory session the different aspects of the specific vocation of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

 

He also visited Catania, in Sicily where there is an Anglican Italian Community whose witness is immeasurable as it touches and transforms the lives of many. There is a strong ecumenical aspect to its ability to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Director met the Mayor of the “Comune Di Sagata li Battiati '' and spoke at a Forum organised by the Lions Club and an Association of Women entrepreneurs. He had the privilege of elaborating over the tasks of the Centre in its ambassadorial role and of  its position as a place of hospitality, dialogue and prayer.

 

 

On the occasion of World Youth Day, hosted by Pope Francis, in Lisbon, Portugal, an ecumenical gathering was organised by the Chemin Neuf Community and the Lisbon Chaplaincy of the Diocese of Europe. That event provided an occasion to share with young Christians on the need to long and to work for the realisation of the prayer of Jesus ”that all may be one”. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell and The Suffragan Bishop of Europe, David Hamid were present for the occasion. Two young women working as volunteers at the Anglican Centre were present in Lisbon and one of them Sadaf Yaqub, is from the Church of Pakistan is presently studying at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, The Angelicum. Her studies and stay in Rome are sponsored  by the Anglican Centre.

 

On the 30th of September on the occasion of the opening of the Synod in Rome, a Prayer Vigil is to be held in the presence of Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Church leaders at St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

In this context, the Anglican Centre has closely worked with the Taizé Community who had been given the responsibility to host this spiritual gathering. Upon the invitation of the prior, Br. Aloïs, the Director was in Taizé in mid-August to meet with young people from across the world sharing with them the need to be “Together” and urged them to be part of this vision. The Anglican Centre was presented as a fruit of the Second Vatican Council and as a visible presence fostering friendly relationships grounded in Christ.

 

This September the Director had the privilege to participate at the International Conference organised by the Sant'Egidio Community. It is a follow up to the Assisi meeting hosted by Saint John Paul II and the theme for this year; ‘Audacity for Peace.’ Many religious leaders were present and Archbishop Ian acted as the moderator of the session Humanitarian Emergencies.

 

From Archbishop Ian Ernest