Churches of the Anglican Communion in Continental

Europe

Provincial Consultations

The Provincial Consultations, bringing together the Bishops, one clergy and one lay representative from the four Anglican jurisdictions in Continental Europe, were begun to discuss the way toward a more appropriate Anglican structure in Continental Europe. The four churches are the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (ECUSA), the Diocese in Europe of the Church of England, the Lusitanian Church of Portugal, and the Spanish Episcopal Reformed Church.

The first Provincial Consultation, which took place in Madrid in February 1998, resulted in an affirmation of common faith and a pledge towards greater fellowship, collaboration and partnership by the bishops, clergy and lay delegates. The second Provincial Consultation was held in Porto, Portugal, from 27 to 29 May 1999. This Consultation was enriched by the presence of bishops representing the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht and the Nordic and Baltic Lutheran Churches of the Porvoo Agreement, as well as representatives of the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Consultative Council. The Convocation was represented at both consultations by Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn, Fr Peter Casparian (St. James' Church, Florence) and Helena Mbele-Mbong (Emmanuel Church, Geneva).

The group in Oporto had lively and constructive discussions as they grappled with the questions of where and how to move forward. While the goal of greater unity is clear, the exact form of that unity and the precise steps to take next are not so evident. It was agreed that we should continue building more visible episcopal collaboration and actively seek closer bonding, including extending shared oversight, redefining the College of Anglican Bishops in Continental Europe (COABICE) to include the Old Catholic and Porvoo Lutheran bishops, and bringing the Convocation of Episcopal Churches into the Porvoo relationship. It was also decided that a small interim group, led by the staff representatives of the CofE, ECUSA, and ACC, was agreed upon to investigate more closely the complex issues of structure and financing of a possible Province.

Perhaps the most important next steps are to build closer relationships amongst the jurisdictions and the many parishes spread across Continental Europe. Many actions require no formal change at all. These include having observers and participants in one another's synods and other meetings, sharing training for laity and clergy, organizing joint retreats and youth activities, collaborating on mission projects, and exchanging more information. These areas for sharing and collaboration echo the priorities identified at the Mission 2000 Consultation of the Convocation in Nice.

At the beginning of the consultation, Bishop Erik Vikström (Porvoo, Finland) representing the Lutheran Churches of the Porvoo Agreement, observed that the Agreement had brought a lot of "discovery". Similarly, "discovery" would certainly characterize the discussions as Consultation participants got to know and understand the often very different backgrounds and concerns of the others. But it is this rich diversity in unity which offers so much to everyone as we discover one another through sharing in worship, learning and mission and grow to be more truly one. The participants from outside Portugal had a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse of the work of the Lusitanian Church in the community, with visits to one of the social centres for older people and then one of the primary and nursery schools – both very lively and cheerful places. Saturday evening the participants were welcomed by one of the parishes with food and song – a marvellous end to the long discussions. Sunday they dispersed to several parishes, some Lusitanian, one Church of England. Those from the Convocation attended a confirmation service, which was again livened by the joyful singing of the parishioners.

The next consultation will be held from 19 to 21 June 2000 near Bonn, hosted by the Rt Revd Joachim Vobbe, Bishop of the Old Catholic Churches in Germany.

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The revised booklet

Churches of the Anglican Communion in Continental Europe
and its accompanying study guide, apse
are now ready

To introduce the churches and encourage everyone to think about and discuss some of the questions with which the Provincial Consultations are grappling, a booklet on Churches of the Anglican Communion in Continental Europe was prepared by members of the Consultation and distributed last year. This booklet has now been expanded to include the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht and the Churches of the Porvoo Agreement.

A study guide, called apse, has also been prepared for use in the parishes. This guide invites parishioners to consider questions of what is meant by "mission" and "unity" and what are the "hopes and fears", "gifts and graces" which we bring as individuals, parishes and jurisdictions to this process. It is hoped that parishes will forward their reflections and questions to the representatives of the Provincial Consultation in order to help inform their discussions in the future.

Wherever the Spirit is leading us, it can only do so through the active involvement of the parishes themselves. All are invited to read and reflect on these booklets, if possible with members of one of the other Anglican jurisdictions in Europe, and then to act in the light of them.

Helena Mbele-Mbong
(Emmanuel Church, Geneva)
Lay Representative
Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
September 1999

Click here to see the apse study guide:

Word format or PDF format

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