Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams told the annual meeting of the Compass Rose Society (CRS) in November that the tensions and ruptures within our Communion are not going to be resolved in a hurry. "Deep wounds heal slowly," the Archbishop said.
The Archbishop spoke at length about the Lambeth Conference 2008 and viewed a "photo cinema" presentation of Lambeth images from the Communications department. The Most Reverend Clive Handford and the Right Reverend Victoria Matthews also gave CRS members an update of the work of the Windsor Continuation Group and matters of the Anglican Covenant.
Holding its annual meeting in Canterbury, the Society heard Archbishop Williams review the year's events and pledged continuing support for his ministry throughout the Communion. The group also attended a major fund-raising event for the Canterbury Cathedral restoration appeal and listened to Dean Robert Willis speak of the cathedral's vision for the next decade.
Two long-serving staff members were given honorary membership in the CRS, Mrs Deirdre Martin, who served the office for 32 years and Canon Dr James Rosenthal, whose work for 20 years has been a major focus of support from the society.
Following the meeting, 30 members of the Society travelled to Cyprus with Anglican Communion Secretary General Kenneth Kearon to visit the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf and its bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Lewis.
Members learned about the Anglican ministry on the politically divided island where most of the population is either Eastern Orthodox or Muslim, and witnessed the diocese's gospel ministry among many on the margins of Cypriot society.
In addition to supplying financial support and mission visits, the Compass Rose Society has responded to the Archbishop's request to support theological education sending collections of 40 recommend textbooks to over 30 seminaries throughout the Communion.
The Society's Canadian branch is funding the doctoral education of a priest from Rwanda who is studying pastoral theology, care and counselling.
The Compass Rose Society supports the ministries of the Archbishop of Canterbury by providing annual financial support and enhancing communication within the Communion through personal contact. Founded in 1997, the Society takes its name from the symbol of the Anglican Communion. Its Web address is www.compassrosesociety.org.
Article from: Episcopal News Service