Global Anglican Primates meet with Archbishop Welby in Rome
by Hattie Williams, Church Times:
CONFLICT, climate, and poverty are among the topics to be discussed behind closed doors at the Primates’ Meeting being held in Rome this week.
The Anglican Communion Office (ACO) described the meeting as “four days of prayer, pilgrimage, discussion, and fellowship” — which includes a meeting with Pope Francis, due to take place on Thursday, shortly before the single press conference that has been scheduled.
“Conceived as a pilgrimage, they will pray and study scripture together, visit holy sites in Rome, and reflect together about the mission and witness of the Church in the world,” the ACO said.
It is the first time that the Primates have gathered in Rome. They were due to meet there in 2020, but the Covid pandemic forced a cancellation. This week, they are being hosted by the director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, Archbishop Ian Ernest.
The agenda, which is not being published, has been developed by the Primates’ standing committee. It is reported to include “prayerful conversation” about areas of conflict in the world as well as “regional meetings to discuss issues of local concern”.
On Monday, the Primates visited Tre Fontane, believed to be the place of St Paul’s martyrdom, and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, where they attended a service of vespers. The Archbishop of Canterbury later described the pilgrimage as “deeply profound and significant: not only in that they are where St Paul the Apostle was martyred and laid to rest, but that the Primates all journeyed there together, in deep prayer and contemplation.”
On Tuesday, a pilgrimage to Santa Maria in Trastevere, and the Community of Sant’Egidio was planned.
Earlier this week, Archbishop Welby described the meeting as “an important time of pilgrimage and fellowship. Together, we will discuss common priorities and challenges in the global mission and shared life of the Anglican Communion.
Read also: Which Primates will meet in Rome? from Anglican Futures
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