Anglican Communion News Service

35 of the 38 Anglican Archbishops from across the world will meet in Canterbury for a week from the 10th April 2002. They will be staying in Canterbury Cathedral’s International Study Centre, sited on the South side of the ancient Cathedral, which was founded by St Augustine in about 597. The Archbishops and their staff will meet in private to share prayer and reflection and to discuss issues facing Christianity in the 21st Century. They will also be present when the new residential wing of the Centre is opened by HRH the Duke of Kent on the 16th April 2002 at 2.15 pm.

The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Revd Robert Willis said today: "We are delighted, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury, to welcome the Primates of the Anglican Communion. The new International Study Centre in the Precincts enables the Archbishops from all over the world to come and be our guests at the Cathedral. We wish them well with their studies and discussions and are delighted to be offering hospitality to so many people, most of whom have travelled great distances to come here. Canterbury Cathedral has been seen as the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion for many years and this meeting of Archbishops underlines the special place that Canterbury has in the hearts of all Anglicans."

Notes to Editors

1. Photographs of the Primates may be taken both at the beginning of the Sung Eucharist to be held in the Quire of the Cathedral at 11.00 am on Sunday, 14th April 2002, and outside the Cathedral after the end of the service. Please contact Christopher Robinson on 01227 865282 or Jane Boucher on 01227 865281 by midday on Friday, 12th April 2002 if you wish to send a representative to the service. Proof of status will be required.
2. If you wish to take pictures or send a representative to the Opening Ceremony of the International Study Centre on the 16th April by HRH the Duke of Kent, please apply via the phone numbers above by midday on Friday, 12th April 2002. Proof of status will be required.
3. For any further information about the Primates’ Meeting, please contact the Communications Room for the Primates Meeting on 01227 472619, Fax 01227 454659. Any news or statements will be available via the official website of the Anglican Communion: www.anglicancommunion.org.