2 October 2023
Anglican leaders from around the world have been in Rome this weekend at the invitation of Pope Francis. They were present, along with leaders of other Christian world communions, to take part in Together, an unprecedented ecumenical prayer vigil in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Amongst them were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, and the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Archbishop Ian Ernest.
Several Anglican Primates – the leading archbishops, presiding bishops and moderators - were also present to witness and support their local Catholic counterparts as 21 new cardinals were made during a consistory on Saturday morning.
Amongst the other Christian leaders present for this weekend’s historic gathering were the leader of the Orthodox Churches, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew; the General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, the Revd Dr Anne Burghardt; the Archbishop of Utrecht in the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands, the Most Revd Bernd Wallet; and the chair of the Pentecostal World Fellowship, the Revd Dr William Wilson.
On Saturday, the leaders attended the opening of an exhibition to mark the 50th anniversary of the John Moorman Library at the Anglican Centre in Rome.
On Sunday morning, Bishop Anthony Poggo preached at All Saints Anglican Church in Rome, part of the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe.
“I understand that Pope Francis visited All Saints Church in February 2017”, Bishop Anthony said in his sermon. “It was a significant visit and confirmation of how ecumenical relations have improved between the Roman Catholics and Anglicans.
“One of the things that Pope Francis said in answer to one of the questions was to confirm the joint pilgrimage of peace to South Sudan by the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland. This trip took place a few months ago.
“This was an incredibly powerful visit, not least as it took place in my home country of South Sudan, but also to see the strength of the global Church when it comes together united in Christ, and the peace, reconciliation and unity that is possible between those who have previously been in conflict.”
Turning to the New Testament reading (Romans 12: 9-21), Bishop Anthony said that Paul reminded Christians that “we need to show our Love in Action.”
He said: “We read from verse nine that our love must be sincere. ‘Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.’ Our faith should show itself in our action and good deed.
He stressed the need for Christians to show hospitality to each other, and also the importance of forgiveness. Highlighting the experience of his native South Sudan, he said that “the reality about vengeance is that it promotes the cycle of vengeance”.
He said: “May we be people who live by the word of God at all times. May God keep us faithful to him as a we serve him so that when the saints go marching, you and I will also be among the number.”
Bishop Anthony will conclude his meeting to Rome today with a series of meetings with Archbishop Ian Ernest and Grace Barlow, Director of Administration and Logistics at the Anglican Communion Office, to discuss next year’s Primates’ meeting that will take place in Rome in May.