Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

I write to you out of concern at events surrounding a service for the Feast of St Mary Magdalene held at St Saviour's church in Riga on Saturday 22nd July.

As you will know, that day was the date originally intended for a Gay Pride march through the city. There were, therefore, members of the gay and lesbian community present at the service, along with a wide number of visitors, members of St Saviour's Council and ecumenical guests. The police had been informed that the service would be taking place. Moreover, violence that took place around St Saviour's last year on the day of the Gay Pride march would surely have also caused police vigilance this year.

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The College of Anglican Bishops in Continental Europe (COABICE) met in Oporto, Portugal, July 3-5, at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, to discuss developing a covenant among the four Anglican jurisdictions in Europe -- the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe, the Iglesia Espa?ola Reformada Episcopal, the Igreja Lusitana Catolica Apostolica Evangelica, and the Convocation of American Churches in Europe.

The bishops produced a draft document which will be circulated for comment among the authorities of the four jurisdictions, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, and Williams. The meeting was characterized by the bishops as very productive, in an atmosphere of prayer, openness, and warm congeniality.

They thanked Bishop Fernando da Luz Soares of the Igreja Lusitana Catolica Apostolica Evangelica for his welcome and the superb hospitality of his Church, and the Rev. Dr. Manuel Sumares, Priest-in-charge of St. James, Oporto, for his help as recording secretary.

The other bishops participating in the meeting were el Reverendissimo Carlos Lopez-Lozano of Iglesia Espa?ola Reformada Episcopal, Bishop Geoffrey Rowell of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe, and Bishop Pierre W. Whalon of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe -- one of the Episcopal Church's 11 not-domestic dioceses.

Article from: ENS

Despite Fire Damage, Its Ecumenical Force Will Remain Intact

Helsinki, Finland/Geneva, 2 June 2006 (LWI) - Bishop Dr Eero Huovinen, vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Nordic region, says the medieval Porvoo Cathedral, partially destroyed in a recent fire, is a significant historical marker. Its importance is not only in relation to local congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF) and the country but also to global ecumenism.

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Dear Brother in Christ,

The bishops, clergy and people of the Church of England diocese in Europe send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the members of the Taiz? Community on the death of Brother Roger. We, like so many around the world, are in shock that a place of pilgrimage, prayer and peace has been shaken by the violent nature of his death.

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The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop in Europe, has designated the weekend of October 29-30 as the weekend when the Diocese in Europe should celebrate the 25th anniversary of its unification. In view of the impossibility of the entire diocese coming together at that time, the Bishop emphasised that "the important thing is that we celebrate our shared life and mission in Christ over the same weekend, if not in the same place."

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The Revd Dr R William Franklin, former Professor of Church History at St John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota and General Seminary, New York, former Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, and current Associate Rector for Education at Trinity Church, Boston has been appointed as Associate Priest and Visiting Fellow of the Anglican Centre in Rome from September 2005. His appointment significantly strengthens the staffing of the Anglican Centre alongside the Director, the Rt Revd John Flack and Fr Jonathan Boardman, the Senior Tutor.

The Revd Dr R William Franklin will also be Associate Priest at the Episcopal Church of St Paul-Within-the-Walls and the English Church of All Saints Rome and Associate Director for External Affairs at the American Academy in Rome.

Stephen Platten, the Bishop of Wakefield and Chairman of Governors of the Anglican Centre said, "We are delighted that Professor Franklin is joining the staff of the Centre. This is a clear signal of our commitment to the Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue at this time of a new pontificate."

Convocation of American Churches in Europe

May 15, 2005

His Beatitude, Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon and head of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, made a Pentecost visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Paris, France, where the Solemn Evensong was sung in his honor. The Patriarch's visit to the Cathedral is part of his ongoing visit to France, where an estimated 16,000 Chaldeans make their home. The Right Reverend Pierre Whalon, who is among those facilitating the Patriarch's visit to France, noted that the purpose of the trip was both religious and diplomatic.

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Statement on the death of His Holiness John Paul II By The Rt Revd Pierre W Whalon, DD. Bishop-in-charge Convocation of American Churches In Europe

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We marked this special occasion with a weekend of celebration from Friday November 12 -Sunday 14 November. In addition to our Jubilee Events, we celebrated the life and work of our late rector, Worth Campbell, who passed away 7 September, 2004. A memorial service was held 13 November on Worth's behalf. Eighty three members (including some of our founding members) came together in good cheer for an elegant Silver Jubilee Dinner that raised 10,000 for our Youth Outreach Project Fund.

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A US$35,000 grant from the United Thank Offering - an ongoing ministry co-ordinated by the national Episcopal Church Women - has helped the Greater Athens Anglican Chaplaincy in serving the needs of athletes and others attending the Olympic Games now under way in Athens.

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