2009 news archive

December 2009

27 December 2009
Worshippers barred from churches on Christmas Day
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have condemned the recent resurgence of police intimidation of Anglicans in Zimbabwe.

24 December 2009
Archbishop - Christmas teaches us joy of dependence
Society's rush to create independent citizens is crushing and narrowing children's experiences of childhood, the Archbishop of Canterbury says in his Christmas Sermon.

17 December 2009
A message from the Archbishop of Canterbury on the Anglican Communion Covenant
As the final version of the Anglican Communion Covenant is sent to the member Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury has given the following message explaining the purpose of the Covenant and the processes surrounding its adoption.

13 December 2009
"Act for the sake of love": Archbishop of Canterbury preaches in Copenhagen Cathedral
"We cannot show the right kind of love for our fellow humans unless we also work at keeping the earth as a place that is a secure home for all people" said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, today at an international ecumenical service in Copenhagen Cathedral, at a midpoint during the critical UN Climate Change talks.

06 December 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury's Statement on Los Angeles Episcopal Elections

November 2009

30 November 2009
Archbishop's World AIDS Day Message "A space for hope"
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has released his 2009 World Aids Day video, in which he speaks with the Revd Patricia Sawo, a church leader and mother from Kenya, about her experiences of living with HIV. The video highlights the plight of expectant mothers who are HIV positive and the support they need to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies.

26 November 2009
Anglican - Roman Catholic Relations: A statement from the Informal Talks
Following the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the Vatican on 21 November 2009, at which they reaffirmed their desire to strengthen ecumenical relations between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, a preparatory committee met on 23 November 2009 to prepare the third phase of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC). It has been decided that this phase will begin within the coming year.

19 November 2009
Archbishop's address at a Willebrands Symposium in Rome
The Archbishop of Canterbury is today giving an address in Rome, as the guest of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The address is part of a symposium being held at the Gregorian University, to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Cardinal Willebrands, the first president of the Council.

19 November 2009
Statement on DRC violence from Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop of Congo and Bishop of Winchester
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Congo and the Bishop of Winchester today voiced their concerns over the continuing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

16 November 2009
Archbishop and faith leaders launch 'Inter Faith Week'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, today invited faith leaders and Trustees of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, to Lambeth Palace to launch 'Inter Faith Week'.

16 November 2009
Archbishop - Economics is 'housekeeping' for humanity
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has urged us to keep economics in perspective as it is only one aspect of human existence. In a keynote address to the TUC Economics Conference today he said: "'Economy' is simply the Greek word for 'housekeeping'. Remembering this is a useful way of getting things in proportion, so that we don't lose sight of the fact that economics is primarily about the decisions we make so as to create a habitat that we can actually live in."

10 November 2009
Archbishop pays tribute to remarkable work of the Mothers' Union
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has paid tribute to the work of the Mothers' Union, describing it as 'The most influential and widespread lay movement in the churches of the Communion, and probably among the most active lay groups in any Christian denomination.'

October 2009

30 October 2009
Archbishop welcomes the work of microfinance charity, Five Talents
The Archbishop of Canterbury and a priest from Southern Sudan yesterday promoted the benefits of microfinance for the poor through the work of the charity, Five Talents.

29 October 2009
Faith leaders - tackling climate change is a "moral imperative"
The Archbishop of Canterbury is today hosting a meeting of faith leaders and faith-based and community organisations at Lambeth Palace to discuss the response of faith communities to the environmental crisis.

20 October 2009
Joint Statement by The Archbishop of Westminster and The Archbishop of Canterbury
Today's announcement of the Apostolic Constitution is a response by Pope Benedict XVI to a number of requests over the past few years to the Holy See from groups of Anglicans who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and are willing to declare that they share a common Catholic faith and accept the Petrine ministry as willed by Christ for his Church.

17 October 2009
Archbishop's Diwali message for 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury today sent his annual message to Hindu communities for the festival of Diwali.

13 October 2009
Act local as well as national urges Archbishop
In a lecture today at Southwark Cathedral (sponsored by the Christian environmental group Operation Noah) Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, sets out a Christian vision of how people can respond to the looming environmental crisis.

09 October 2009
Archbishop's sermon to mark the end of military operations in Iraq
The sermon given today by the Archbishop of Canterbury at a service of commemoration to mark the end of military operations in Iraq, held at St Paul's Cathedral London:

07 October 2009
Archbishop and Youth Parliament representative 'Value the Vote'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams met yesterday with Victoria Fowler, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, to discuss the 'Value the Vote' campaign, which aims to incorporate political education into the secondary education curriculum.

05 October 2009
Archbishop welcomes new Bishop of Dover
The Rt Rev Trevor Willmott has been confirmed as the new Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury. Bishop Trevor, who has been the Bishop of Basingstoke since 2002, will take delegated responsibility for the oversight of the Diocese of Canterbury on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

04 October 2009
BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship: Archbishop preaches at a Harvest Thanksgiving service
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, preaches at a Harvest Thanksgiving Service in the village church of St Cosmus and St Damian in the Blean near Canterbury.

September 2009

24 September 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury backs efforts for a world free of nuclear arms
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, currently visiting the Anglican Church in Japan, today took part in an Act of Remembrance at the epicentre of the atomic bomb blast in Nagasaki. During the Act of Remembrance, Dr Williams laid flowers at the memorial and spoke about the pressing importance of working for a world free from nuclear weapons.

May 2009

24 May 2009
Joint Statement from the Archbishop of York and Archbishop of Canterbury
Joint statement on European Parliamentary and local elections

September 2009

23 September 2009
Archbishop welcomes possible Papal visit to Britain
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, currently on a visit to the Anglican Church in Japan, has today responded to indications that Pope Benedict XVI may visit Britain in 2010 with delight.

23 September 2009
Archbishop's sermon celebrating 150th Anniversary of the Anglican Church in Japan
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today preached at a service attended by over 2000 people, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Anglican Church in Japan (Nippon Sei Ko Kai).

21 September 2009
Archbishop - Education based only on reason is incomplete
As part of his week-long visit to Japan for the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Anglican Church in Japan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has today given a lecture to students and academics at Rikkyo Gaukin University, an Anglican university in Tokyo.

21 September 2009
Archbishop's Eid message for 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent his greetings to Muslim communities for the festival of Eid ul Fitr, marking the end of Ramadhan. The Archbishop's greeting celebrates the many positive examples of Christian Muslim encounter and engagement with the wider common good in the past year.

20 September 2009
Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury to families, relatives and supporters of the residents of Camp Ashraf in the UK
The Archbishop of Canterbury, currently on a visit to the Anglican Church in Japan, today issued a statement highlighting his concerns for the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq.

19 September 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury meets President Asif Zardari
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams met yesterday with the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, HE Asif Ali Zardari. The Archbishop was accompanied by the Rt Revd Michael Nazir Ali.

Archbishop's greetings for the start of the Jewish New Year
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent his greetings to the Jewish Communities at the start of the festival of Rosh Hashanah. In his message Dr Williams recalls his visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau with the Chief Rabbi and Rabbi Tony Bayfield, and looks ahead to the presence of the Chief Rabbi in the House of Lords, as well as his meeting with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

15 September 2009
Archbishop to visit Japan
As part the150th anniversary celebrations of the Anglican Church in Japan, the Archbishop of Canterbury will be making a week-long visit to Japan during which he will visit Anglican churches, universities and schools, as well as the city of Nagasaki.

August 2009

06 August 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury visits Taizé
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, began a three day visit to the community of Taizé today.

05 August 2009
Archbishop's letter to Primate of Nigeria
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has written to the Primate of Nigeria, offering prayers following the recent violent clashes.

04 August 2009
Archbishop condemns atrocities in Pakistan
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today made the following statement regarding the violence in Pakistan:

July 2009

23 July 2009
Guidance on communion during swine flu pandemic
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to Bishops in the Church of England recommending the suspension of the sharing of the chalice at communion.

21 July 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury Awards Lambeth Degrees
This afternoon the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, awarded Lambeth Degrees to the Rt Revd John Hind and the Revd Canon Vincent Strudwick at Lambeth Palace.

21 July 2009
Archbishop backs 'Candles for Rwanda' initiative
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has joined other public figures in lighting a candle on camera as part of 'Candles for Rwanda' - a global initiative to mark the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide.

17 July 2009
Archbishop addresses Affirming Catholicism National Day in Bristol
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will attend a national conference of Affirming Catholicism on Monday 20th July, at Bristol Cathedral.

13 July 2009
Archbishop welcomes Chief Rabbi's peerage
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today welcomed the announcement by the House of Lords Appointment Commission to award a peerage to the Chief Rabbi, Dr Sir Jonathan Sacks.

09 July 2009
Archbishop's Response to DFID White Paper
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, welcomed the launch this week of the Government White Paper, "Building our Common Future", which commits additional support for the world's poorest people affected by conflict, climate change and the global economic crisis.

08 July 2009
New Bishop to the Forces announced
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced the appointment of the Rt Revd Dr Stephen Venner as Bishop to the Forces.

01 July 2009
'Inspiration, Truth and the Search for Understanding'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, yesterday hosted a seminar at Lambeth Palace entitled "Inspiration, Truth and the Search for Understanding", with the aim of examining how faith and science can contribute to a richer knowledge and a deeper understanding of the nature of truth. The Seminar was chaired by Madeleine Bunting from the Guardian.

June 2009

26 June 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury: Statement for Armed Forces Day
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has published the following statement in support of Armed Forces Day, which is being marked tomorrow:

23 June 2009
Archbishop in Istanbul
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, spent last week in Istanbul chairing the eighth Building Bridges Seminar and spending three days as guest of His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople and New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch.

18 June 2009
Archbishop calls for commitment to sustainable peace in Sudan
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued a statement in support of today's 'Sudan Day of Action' which calls for a renewed commitment to sustainable peace in Sudan. The Sudan Day of Action, organised by Baroness Cox and the Sudan Action Group, aims to raise awareness for the desperate plight of the people of Sudan.

03 June 2009
Archbishop urges prayer for planet on Environment Sunday - June 7
The Archbishop of Canterbury is urging churches to use Environment Sunday (June 7) to pray for the planet and campaign for climate change in the run up to the important UN talks later this year in Copenhagen.

02 June 2009
Archbishop awards twenty first 'Lambeth MA in Theology' degree
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today awarded the twenty first 'Lambeth MA in Theology' degree to Mr Donald Mackay.

May 2009

29 May 2009
Archbishop to launch Greater London Presence and Engagement Network
The Archbishop of Canterbury will join the Bishops of Chelmsford, London, Tonbridge and Southwark and representatives from 120 parishes across London at a series of events on 1st June to launch the Greater London Presence and Engagement Network (PEN).

28 May 2009
Winner of £15,000 Theology Prize Announced
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has awarded the 2009 Michael Ramsey prize to 'Jesus and the Eyewitnesses' by Richard Bauckham at the Guardian Hay festival today.

21 May 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes new Archbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today given a greeting to Archbishop Vincent Nichols at his Installation Mass as the new Archbishop of Westminster.

10 May 2009
Archbishops' Zimbabwe appeal raises almost £300,000 to date
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have this week seen public donations for their joint Zimbabwe appeal reach £292,330. The appeal highlights the support needed by churches, which are struggling to feed the hungry and provide health care.

08 May 2009
Archbishop's sadness at death of the Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Ian Cundy
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has expressed his sadness on learning of the death of the Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Ian Cundy.

01 May 2009
Dean of the Arches and Auditor of the Chancery Court of York
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are delighted to announce the appointment of Charles George QC as Dean of the Arches and Auditor of the Chancery Court of York, with effect from the 1st May. This follows the retirement of Sheila Cameron CBE in March 2009, and an open selection procedure.

April 2009

Archbishop - 'Proof of the resurrection has to be lived, not argued'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams reminds Christians that belief in God is about living in the reality of faith and the unselfish life, and not about opinions or philosophical proofs.

03 April 2009
Archbishop 'delighted' by news of appointment of Archbishop Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Canterbury has today welcomed the announcement of the appointment of Archbishop Vincent Nichols as Archbishop of Westminster:

01 April 2009
Archbishop contributes to IPPR G20 publication
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has contributed to '20 on the G20' - a pamphlet published by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr).

March 2009

30 March 2009
G20 leaders must not forget promises to the poor - Religious Leaders Communiqué
Today religious leaders in Britain urged the G20 leaders not to forget their commitments to the world's poorest people in the current economic crisis.

27 March 2009
Archbishop visits Shelter's Advice Centre
The Archbishop of Canterbury will today visit Shelter's Advice Centre which provides advice to those in the region who are in vulnerable situations.

25 March 2009
Archbishop of Canterbury: Environment is 'an issue of justice'
The Archbishop of Canterbury will today use his Ebor Lecture in York Minster to spell out why respect for the environment is not an optional extra, particularly for Christians.

18 March 2009
Lambeth Palace hosts DfID White Paper consultation
Lambeth Palace yesterday hosted a consultation between faith communities and the UK Government's Department for International Development (DfID) on the forthcoming White Paper.

07 March 2009
Ethics, Economics, and Global Justice
In a lecture given today in Cardiff, the Archbishop of Canterbury calls for patience and trust to be re-established in economic processes, and for governments to resist the lure of protectionism which prejudices the growth of developing economies.

02 March 2009
Pastoral Visitors Briefing Seminar
Following the Report of the Windsor Continuation Group to the Archbishop of Canterbury (which was published at the Primates Meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, in February 2009) the initial group of Pastoral Visitors called for by the Windsor Continuation Group in their Report and commended by the Primates Meeting in their Communiqué (para 15) met for a briefing session at Virginia Theological Seminary from 25-28 February.

February 2009

25 February 2009
Archbishops' appeal for Zimbabwe
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, have launched a joint appeal to help counter the humanitarian crisis and deteriorating political situation in Zimbabwe.

19 February 2009
First Inter Parliamentary Conference on anti-Semitism reception held at Lambeth Palace
On behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, The Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester and Chair of the Council of Christians and Jews, hosted a reception at Lambeth Palace on 17 February 2009 for the participants in the first Inter Parliamentary Conference on anti-Semitism.

18 February 2009
Archbishop's new Secretary for International Development
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is delighted to appoint the Revd Rachel Carnegie to serve as Secretary for International Development, based at Lambeth Palace.

17 February 2009
Archbishop's new Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is pleased to appoint the Revd Canon Joanna Udal to serve as the Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs, based at Lambeth Palace.

03 February 2009
Archbishop awards Cross of St Augustine to Monsignor Donald Bolen
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has awarded the Cross of St Augustine to Monsignor Donald Bolen for his service to Anglican - Roman Catholic relations.

02 February 2009
Archbishop - Good Childhood Report 'a clarion call' for society
The Archbishop of Canterbury today warmly welcomed the launch of the Good Childhood Report, describing it as 'a clarion call' for society to listen to its children:

01 February 2009
Archbishop's greeting to His Holiness Kyrill on his enthronement as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
The Archbishop has today sent the following letter of greeting to His Holiness Kyrill, on his day of enthronement as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia:

January 2009

30 January 2009
Archbishop welcomes 'Faiths Working Together' Fund
The Archbishop of Canterbury has today welcomed the launch of the 'Faiths Working Together' Fund for rebuilding civilian lives in Gaza and relieving suffering in Israel through the work of Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.

28 January 2009
Archbishop's visit to North Africa
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will visit North Africa from Wednesday 28th January until Friday 6th February 2009

27 January 2009
Archbishop awards Cross of St Augustine to Anglican Communion Office staff
The Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday awarded Deirdre Martin and Canon James Rosenthal the Cross of St Augustine at a reception at Lambeth Palace.

27 January 2009
Archbishop's Holocaust Memorial Day statement - 'Rediscover the depths of real humanity'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called for people to 'Rediscover the depths of real humanity' in a video to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

22 January 2009
Archbishop meets with relief and development practitioners
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, met last week with an invited group of relief and development practitioners and professionals at Lambeth Palace.

21 January 2009
Archbishop to visit Diocese of Ely for launch of 900th anniversary celebrations
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams will pay a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Ely as it launches its 900th anniversary celebrations this weekend, 23-25 January.

19 January 2009
Archbishop announces 2009 Michael Ramsey Prize shortlist
The Archbishop of Canterbury today announced the shortlist for the 2009 Michael Ramsey Prize (MRP). The prize will be awarded at Guardian Hay festival in May.