FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE From Artificial Intelligence to climate crisis, Anglican Communion Science Commission members will invite Anglicans to 'think courageously about science and faith' on July's Lambeth Call webinars What does it mean for churches to think courageously about science? It’s a question that members of the Anglican Communion Science Commission (ACSC) will discuss in a webinar about science and faith (July 3 and 4). The webinar – entitled ‘Thinking Courageously about Science and Faith’ – will address ways in which faith and science communities can be in dialogue and work together in response to issues impacting people and planet, including climate crisis, health needs and the rising influence of artificial intelligence.

Organised by the Anglican Communion Office, the webinar will provide the opportunity to learn more about the Lambeth Call on Science and Faith, as well as the work and vision of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, both of which were launched at the Lambeth Conference in 2022. The Right Revd Dr Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, is a Co-Chair of the Anglican Communion Science Commission and will be one of the webinar speakers. Bishop Steven is a prolific voice on science, faith and ethical debate.

He is a member of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament and has served on Select Committees on A.I. and on Environment and Climate Change. He said, “It is vital that the Church thinks courageously about science and faith. We have a crucial role to play in educating our congregations about the positive and constructive use of science and technology for peace and justice.

My hope is that the more empowered churches become, the more they will collaborate with the scientific community responding to human need, bringing the ethical voice of faith to scientific discovery.” Other speakers will include Professor Kwamena Sagoe (the other Co-Chair of the Science Commission), Professor Andrew Briggs (Director of the Science Commission project), Bishop Anthony Poggo (Secretary General of the Anglican Communion), the Rt Revd Emily Onyango (Assistant Bishop of Bondo, Kenya) and Dr Heather Payne (Chief Medical Adviser to the Welsh Government). The webinars are hosted by Bishop Jo Bailey Wells (Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, and Bishop for Episcopal Ministry) and Bishop Julio Murray (the Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America -IARCA). Canon Stephen Spencer from the Anglican Communion Office supports the work of the ACSC and said: “Church mission in our contemporary age needs to be informed about the fast-paced nature of change in science and technology and its implications for our world.

This webinar will be a great opportunity to hear some powerful voices discuss the vital relationship between science and faith and how to engage one with the other.” July’s webinar will be an important feature in a programme of work undertaken by the ACSC. Since its launch in 2022, the ACSC has been holding a series of international consultations, to gather insights from churches across the communion on key priorities for the commission. Last August, Anglican bishops, scientists and theological educators met in Limuru, Kenya, to explore the theme “Science and Faith for Enriching Human Life.” Participants shared the many ways in which their churches regularly play an important role as ‘science communicators’ in community life – for example about matters of pandemic response, climate crisis and other issues.

Later this year, further consultation is planned at Virginia Theological Seminary near Washington DC. Following next week's webinars, the Episcopal Ministry team at the Anglican Communion Office will be running a series of Bishops’ Conversations on specific topics, to equip them to explore science and faith in their dioceses and regions, from the end of July to the end of September. July’s webinar is being run as part of the ‘Add Your Voice to the Call’ series, facilitated by the Anglican Communion Office, as part of Phase 3 of the Lambeth Conference.

Each webinar is accompanied by supporting articles, films and resources, which are available on the websites and social media channels for the Lambeth Conference and ACO.