Anglican Religious Orders Network (ARON)
What is the Anglican Religious Orders Network?
The Anglican Religious Orders Network (ARON) connects and supports Anglican religious communities, orders and people living in single consecrated life across the Anglican Communion.
Anglican religious life takes many forms. It includes residential communities of brothers or sisters, dispersed orders, new monastic communities and people called to single consecrated life. Although these vocations are expressed in different ways, they share a commitment to following Christ through prayer, service and a common Rule of Life.
ARON provides opportunities for prayer, fellowship, learning and collaboration. Its overall aim is to encourage and support the different expressions of Anglican religious and consecrated life around the world.
Why was the Network established?
The idea for the network grew out of a fringe meeting attended by members of religious communities and bishops during the Lambeth Conference in 2022. The meeting revealed a strong desire for closer international connections between those involved in Anglican religious life.
Further conversations took place during 2025, including consultative meetings held at different times to enable participation from across the world. Two online seminars were subsequently held with the Rt Revd and Rt Hon the Lord Williams of Oystermouth as the keynote speaker. Around 80 people participated, representing every continent.
On 8 May 2026, ARON was formally recognised as a network of the Anglican Communion.
What does the Network do?
ARON brings people together across provinces to:
- meet online for prayer, fellowship and mutual encouragement
- share knowledge and good practice on subjects such as vocations and safeguarding
- provide advice and support in provinces where organised religious life is not yet established
- develop training and support for leaders of religious communities
- encourage regional gatherings, particularly where no regular gathering of religious orders currently exists
- share learning with communities experiencing periods of transition or coming to completion
- support research and writing on the theology and practice of religious life
- collaborate with other Anglican Communion networks in advocacy, mission and the sharing of expertise
- help religious communities share accurate information and useful resources
The network also offers practical support and opportunities to form working groups around particular needs or areas of shared interest.
Who can participate?
Membership is principally through Anglican communities and orders listed in the Anglican Religious Life Yearbook. Each community or order is invited to nominate an official representative to the network. International leaders of orders with more than one province are also represented.
People whose vocation to single consecrated life has been accepted by a bishop are also invited to become members.
Associate membership is available to others with a close connection to Anglican religious life. This may include:
- bishops and members of religious life advisory councils
- bishop visitors to religious orders
- people researching religious life
- people associated with retreat houses or hermitages connected with religious orders
Membership of ARON does not confer official recognition on a community, order or individual. Recognition remains the responsibility of the appropriate provincial advisory council or equivalent body.
How does the Network operate?
ARON holds online meetings across different time zones and seeks to provide interpretation where requested. Members can also participate in working groups, regional gatherings, training and shared projects.
The network is supported by elected officers and a committee. In appointing its leadership, ARON seeks to reflect the geographical breadth of the Communion, different expressions of religious life and different genders.
Who leads the Network?
- Patron: The Rt Revd and Rt Hon the Lord Williams of Oystermouth
- Chair: Br Christopher John SSF
- Vice-Chair: Sr Patricia Sibusisiwe CHN
- Secretary: Fr Mark Soady SSC
- Minute Secretary: Sr Marguerite, Gabriel Sisters
Committee members
- The Revd Mandy Wheatley tssf
- The Revd Sr Veronica CSC
- The Rt Revd Hans Christiansen
How can you get involved?
Religious communities, orders and people in single consecrated life are invited to participate in the network’s prayer, fellowship and shared work.
People with other connections to Anglican religious life can also contact ARON to ask about associate membership or joining its mailing list.
For more information, email aron@anglicancommunion.org.
Find an Anglican religious community
The Anglican Religious Life Yearbook provides the authoritative online directory of recognised Anglican religious communities and orders.
