Churches of the Anglican Communion in Continental

Europe

Preface

1998 Consultation of Churches

of

The Anglican Communion in Continental Europe

At an historic first-ever occasion, representatives of the four Anglican Episcopal jurisdictions of Continental Europe met in Madrid from 19 to 22 February 1998 to explore ways of working more closely toward common goals and unified mission. The bishops, clergy and lay delegates from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds listened to each others' hopes and concerns, worshipped together in Spanish, Portuguese and English, and renewed their commitment to work toward a possible European Province within the Anglican Communion.

Delegates were unanimous that any such combined jurisdiction will need to preserve the special character and cultural identity of the different Anglican Episcopal congregations throughout Europe – of which there are several hundred, many with centuries of tradition. Against this background, short and long-term goals were discussed, debated, or noted for future consideration. After several long days of work and fellowship, participants remarked on the richness of the meetings themselves, as examples of the wider Anglican Communion in action.

Since the 19th century there have been multiple Anglican Episcopal jurisdictions on mainland Europe, consisting of the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church, the Lusitanian Catholic Apostolic Evangelical Church of Portugal, the Convocation of American Churches in Europe of the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. (ECUSA), and the Church of England Diocese in Europe. Each jurisdiction has its own section in this booklet. Discussions about an eventual single jurisdiction began a decade or so after the Second World War and were given impetus at the 1968 Lambeth Conference. Thirty years later, at Lambeth 1998, COABICE (the College of Anglican Bishops in Continental Europe) will present a statement of its commitment to a single jurisdiction, for better serving the needs of indigenous and expatriate congregations present and future, and for a better understanding of shared mission and ministry.

Representatives of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, the Anglican Consultative Council, the Old Catholic Churches and the Lutheran Evangelical Churches of the Porvoo Agreement will be invited to attend a meeting of the delegates in 1999.

Tony Price
February 1998

Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church
Lusitanian Catholic Apostolic Evangelical Church in Portugal
Diocese in Europe (Church of England)
Convocation of American Churches in Europe (ECUSA)

Madrid Statement
21 February 1998

As representative laity, clergy and bishops of the above churches of the Anglican Communion we have come together to share our vision of a future life in closer fellowship.

We have affirmed our common faith and our commitment to engage more fully in service and witness with, and alongside, the other Christian churches on mainland Europe.

We pledge ourselves to build on the example set by our bishops towards greater fellowship, collaboration and partnership in the ministry of all God's people in the service of his mission.

Rejoicing in the unity which we ourselves experienced in this consultation, we urge members of our churches to get to know each other more fully, to cooperate in prayer and worship, teaching and nurture, witness and service.

Enriched by our different languages, cultures and histories, we wait together expectantly for the Holy Spirit to empower us for the work ahead.

The Right Reverend Carlos Lopez Lozano
The Reverend Gabriel Amat
Miguel Sánchez Rodríguez

The Right Reverend Fernando Soares
The Reverend José Jorge Pina Cabral
Isabel Freire (unable to be present)

The Right Reverend John Hind
The Venerable Ken Robinson
Diana Webster

The Right Reverend Jeffery Rowthorn
The Reverend Peter Casparian
Helena Mbele-Mbong

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