The Anglican Communion Office and Lambeth Palace have announced the proposed media arrangements for the Primates’ Meeting being held in London 15th -16th October 2003.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has asked his fellow Primates (Principal Archbishops, Presiding Bishops and Moderators) of the Anglican Episcopal churches world-wide to join him for a meeting at Lambeth Palace.

The Archbishop issued the invitation to the 37 church leaders following the recent General Convention of the Episcopal Church, USA, and events in Canada and England. The Archbishop of Canterbury calls and hosts these meetings; their status is collegial and their deliberations are intended to carry weight in the Provinces.

Background documentation

Journalists are invited to consult www.anglicancommunion.org for reference material and updates on the meeting.

Access

Primates’ Meetings have always been collegial and private gatherings and therefore neither visitors nor press are able to attend.

Location details

There will be no other access to the Palace or the grounds during the duration of the meeting and, on advice, satellite trucks will not be able to park on the hard standing to the south of the palace main gate.

We hope to arrange briefings for journalists to share updates as the meeting progresses. What form such briefings might take or what material could be available will have to be decided by the Primates once they meet.

During the meeting

The time of the Primates will entirely be taken up with the work of the meeting and it is not expected that there will be any media availability for those attending once the meeting is underway. We will pass on written requests to primates but are not able to act as facilitators for the attending media during the actual meeting.

After the meeting

There will be a final press conference following the meeting at 6pm in Church House, Westminster. Registration for the press conference has now closed.

Enquiries relating to the Primates and the meeting can be made through Canon James Rosenthal, +44 20 7921 0398 - mobile +44 780 389 4751 (as possible) or Matthew Davies +44 20 7921 0391.

The Revd Jonathan Jennings and Sarah Williams (+44 20 7898 1280) are contact persons for matters relating to Archbishop Williams.