Archbishop attends 50th anniversary Evensong

Wednesday, 15th June 2016

Archbishop attends 50th anniversary Evensong

The Archbishop of Canterbury attended Evensong to mark the 50th anniversary of the Anglican Centre in Rome at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 14th June.

The Welcome was given by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who also pronounced the Blessing.

The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham and Roman Catholic Co-Chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, read the first lesson from 1 Samuel 3: 1-10.

The Most Reverend Dr David Moxon KNZM, Director, The Anglican Centre in Rome, former Primate of New Zealand and Anglican Co-Chair of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, read the second lesson from Ephesians 4: 1-16.

Intercessions were led by The Reverend Paul Arbuthnot, Minor Canon and Sacrist, and said by: The Reverend Marcus Walker, Associate Director, The Anglican Centre in Rome; Bridget Moss, UK Development Officer, The Anglican Centre in Rome; The Venerable Andrew Tremlett, Canon in Residence; Sodiq Abioye, Anglican Centre in Rome young supporter, St John the Divine, Kennington, Diocese of Southwark; The Reverend Roxanne Hunte, Anglican Centre Diocesan Representative, Croydon Episcopal Area, Diocese of Southwark and The Right Reverend Dr Stephen Platten, Chairman of Governors, The Anglican Centre in Rome.

The Sermon was given by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, and Metropolitan.

The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Daniel Cook, Sub-Organist and, before the service, by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.

Those seated in the Sacrarium included: The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, The Most Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon; The Bishops of Chester, Norwich, Sheffield, Southwark and Worcester; The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Carey of Clifton; The Papal Nuncio, The Most Reverend Antonio Mennini; The Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, The Right Reverend Brian Farrell; The Right Reverend Nicholas Hudson, representing the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster; together with His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor; His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain; and His Grace Bishop Angaelos of the Coptic Church. Other denominations were also represented at the service.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Westminster attended the service, as did David Dangoor DL, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.

Order of Service