A Holy Eucharist service was held in Rome to mark the commissioning of the Rt Revd Anthony Ball as the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. It was held on May 6, 2025.
The Anglican Centre in Rome is the permanent Anglican Communion presence in Rome. It embodies the Anglican Communion’s commitment to the full visible unity of the Church, with a particular focus on building trusted relationships with the Catholic Church and advancing shared ecumenical priorities.
As Director, Bishop Anthony Ball will lead the Centre alongside his role as the representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See, playing a key role in the interface between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church.
The commissioning service gathered people of many Christian traditions in the chapel of Saint Augustine of Canterbury at the Anglican Centre in Rome. Bishop Anthony reflected on the service, observing that “Perhaps inevitably, I have a sense of trepidation coming into the role at such a time. The service helped dispel some of that - it felt like a family coming together to encourage one of their own.”
During the service, the Most Revd Flavio Pace, of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, offered a greeting on behalf of the Holy See and was followed by representatives of other groups with which the Centre works. The Chairman of the Governors of the Centre, The Rt Revd Michael Burrows of the Diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe, gave the address.
Bishop Michael Burrows stated in his sermon, “We heard much at the papal funeral about the importance of building bridges rather than walls. […] In a very special way, the Director of this Centre builds and reinforces bridges on behalf of all Anglicans between Canterbury and Rome […] and he’s just the person to make the very best and most exciting use of a genuinely, strangely, blank canvas.”
Commenting on the position he will be taking up, Bishop Anthony told the Anglican News Service, “I carry my many ideas, hopes and dreams for the future into my position at the Anglican Centre in Rome. I feel excited now to have been commissioned and to start on this journey, on this pilgrimage, with a family around me.”
Bishop Anthony began a period of transition in January this year when his predecessor, Archbishop Ian Earnest, stepped down. During this time, he was instrumental in assisting the Anglican Communion delegation through the events of Pope Francis’ funeral last month. At the time of the Pope’s death, he stated “The Anglican Centre in Rome and those we represent have particular cause to be grateful for his generosity of spirit and commitment to fostering greater unity and collaboration.” Bishop Anthony will be moving to live full-time in Rome later in the year as this transitional period concludes.
About Bishop Anthony Ball
Bishop Anthony was born in Southern Africa and joined the Diplomatic Service after studying at the University of Durham. Whilst posted with the British Embassy in Damascus, he was the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Heads of the Orthodox Churches in Syria and Lebanon. He has held positions in the Middle East, Spain, Egypt and England, many of which involved responsibility for Ecumenical relationships.
He served for a time at Lambeth Palace where he held responsibility for advising on Anglican Communion, Ecumenical, Inter Religious and International relations before serving as the Archbishop's Chaplain. Bishop Anthony had been serving at Westminster Abbey as Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster and as the Bishop of the Diocese of North Africa in the Province of Alexandria, having previously been an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Egypt.
In his current role at Westminster Abbey, he has oversight of hospitality and welcome to visitors and pilgrims and responsibility for pastoral care as well as being the lead clergy person for the Abbey’s inter-religious relationships. Previously, he held roles of Canon Rector, Rector of St Margaret’s Church, Almoner and Sub-Dean. Before coming to the Abbey, he was Rector of Worth, Pound Hill and Maidenbower in West Sussex, also holding the role of Anglican Chaplain at Worth School.
Bishop Anthony has held several roles in the charity and education sectors, including Chair of Trustees of the Christian development charity ‘Embrace the Middle East’; the Chair of Governors of Westminster City School; a Trustee of the United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation; a Trustee of the Christian-Muslim Forum; and Co-Chair of the Council of Christians and Jews’ Central London Branch. He currently Chairs the Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association and serves on the UK Advisory Board of the Abraham Initiatives.