The Primates of the 38 Provinces of the Anglican Communion have just completed their gathering in Canterbury, England. Links to important articles and documents are below. We invite you to read these carefully for yourself so that you are not left to rely solely on social media commentary that may not be accurate. We will be sharing information about these matters in a variety of contexts in the Diocese of Virginia in coming weeks.
We ask your prayers for reconciliation, hope and peace as we move forward as part of the Anglican Communion. Pray for this world-wide body, of which we remain a part, as we strive to walk together in the face of our differences
- Statement from the Primates
- Episcopal News Service article
- Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael Curry on the actions at the Anglican Primates meeting
Primates are the senior archbishops and presiding bishops who are elected or appointed to lead each of the 38 autonomous provinces of the Anglican Communion. They are invited to the Primates Meetings by the Archbishop of Canterbury to consult on theological, social and international issues.
The Anglican Communion Primates Meeting is one of the three instruments of communion, the other two being the Lambeth Conference of bishops and the Anglican Consultative Council, the communion's main policy-making body. The Archbishop of Canterbury, as primus inter pares, or "first among equals," is recognized as the focus of unity for the Anglican Communion.
Each province relates to other provinces within the Anglican Communion by being in full communion with the See of Canterbury.