Ecumenical relations

Ecumenical Reception at Lambeth Palace Library

Working together for unity

Work with other Christian Churches

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one."

(John 17.20)
As part of the whole Church of God, the Church of England seeks to work with other Churches and make visible our unity. We believe that by working with other Churches, we can have a greater impact in our communities and on society as a whole. We are committed to joining with others in discipleship, witness to the Good News and worship of God.

The Council for Christian Unity supports the Archbishop of Canterbury's ecumenical ministry, in collaboration with staff at Lambeth Palace.

Latest Ecumenical News

Jeremy Morris
The General Assembly of the Communion of Protestant Churches

The General Assembly of the Communion of Protestant Churches met in Sibiu, Romania, from 27 August to 2 September.  The Church of England is not a member, but has close relationships with most of the member churches of the Communion.

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Ecumenical Guests at General Synod
Christian Unity at General Synod July 2024

There were a number of ecumenical items on the agenda of General Synod in July 2024, including a visit from Finnish confirmands. 

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Cross in Finland
Celebration of 1,000 years of Christian law in Norway

The Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Croydon and Jeremy Morris were amongst the guests on Moster island in Norway at the beginning of June to mark, in a weekend of celebrations, the proclamation of Christian law in Norway by King (Saint) Olaf in 1024.  

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The Council for Christian Unity in Manchester
Residential meeting of the Council for Christian Unity

The Council for Christian Unity held its annual residential meeting at Martin Luther King House, Manchester, from 5-6 June.  A great deal of useful discussion took place.

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The Malines Conversations Group, with the staff of Porvoo cathedral
The Malines Conversations Group

The Malines Conversations Group, an informal Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogue group which seeks to repeat the spirit of the original Malines conversations of the 1920s, met in Helsinki from 20 to 26 April 2024.  A range of subjects was covered, including theological anthropology, the nature of AI, transhumanism, and the contribution of the esoteric tradition and Christian mysticism to consideration of the human person and ministry.  The Group published a document on the Catholic view of Anglican orders, Sorores in Spe, in 2021, and is doing further work on issues of mutual ecumenical interest.

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Delegates at the Global Christian Forum Global Christian Forum
Global Christian Forum

The Global Christian Forum met from 16 to 19 April in Accra, Ghana, under the theme ‘That the world may know’.  True to its aim to embrace the whole worldwide fellowship of Christians, there were Christians from every continent, and from a huge range of the global Christian family, including members of the Church of England.  The forum is a place of encounter and faith-sharing, and does not make statements or take decisions.  Its meetings included opportunities for sharing personal stories of faith, and for acts of worship, and a visit to the Cape Coast Castle where slaves were imprisoned and traded, and an ensuing service of lament and reconciliation.

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