Anglicans from across the world have gathered for the nineteenth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) which began today in Belfast, Northern Ireland, themed ‘Called To One Hope’. 

Opening speeches were made in the first session (Sunday 28 June), which included a Presidential Address from The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE. This is the first meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council that Archbishop has attended since taking up her public ministry.

The Council, one of the four ‘instruments of Communion’, meets every three years and draws together bishops, clergy and laypersons from the Anglican Communion, making it one of the most varied international meetings of its kind.

Today's opening addresses began with the Chair of the ACC, Canon Maggie Swinson, who called for prayer for Venezuela, and those affected by the recent earthquake.

In her opening remarks, she spoke about the strength of diversity of the meeting: ‘As ever in the Anglican Communion, we come with very different experiences, priorities and concerns. That is part of the reality of who we are. What holds the Communion together is not certainty, or power, or uniformity, but Christ himself. That does not make difference disappear, but it does give us a basis on which to meet, to listen and to remain in relationship with one another across those differences.’

Canon Maggie also highlighted the importance of listening. She remarked, ‘We are here to exercise judgement and to discern together in a way that reflects the life of the Communion. Listening well is part of that. We are more likely to discern well together when people are able to speak honestly and know they will be heard with care and respect, even where there are differences.’

She spoke about her own hopes for the meeting and encouraged members to take responsibility not only for their own contributions, but also for creating an environment in which others could participate fully.

‘The tone of a meeting is often shaped by small things,’ reflected Canon Maggie. ‘Whether people are welcomed well, whether they are heard properly, whether patience is shown, and whether space is made for voices unlike our own. Those things may seem small, but they are deeply important, and they affect the quality of our common life and work together.’ 

The panel of opening speakers at the first session of the 19th Anglican Consultative Conference held at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre.
Photo: Neil Turner

The Church of Ireland is the host of ACC-19 and the Archbishop of All Ireland, the Most Revd John McDowell, offered a traditional Gaelic greeting with the words ‘Céad míle fáilte’ (a hundred thousand welcomes). He spoke about St Patrick being sent by God as a missionary to ‘the ends of the earth’ and the history of the Church in Ireland. He acknowledged the difficult past in the region, known as ‘the Troubles’, and the importance of the reconciling love and hope of Jesus Christ in overcoming all things. He called upon the meeting as he called on the Church of Ireland to grow in love, faith and hope. 

The Archbishop of All Ireland, the Most Revd John McDowell.
Photo: Neil Turner

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, spoke of the joy of being together and the privilege he has had in visiting 33 Member Churches so far in his time as Secretary General. He also addressed the theme of ACC-19, saying ‘This hope is not a wish or instruction, but our calling, the very ground of our life together as the body of Christ, the Church with a “big C”. It is what unites us, and from it flows all we do as the one, holy and apostolic Church. In all our deliberations this week, let us keep this at the forefront; without it, nothing else makes sense.’ 

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo.
Photo: Neil Turner.

The Vice-chair of the ACC and Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Revd Dr Hosam Naoum, recognised the context of the meeting: ‘Our meeting,’ he said, ‘takes place during a moment of profound uncertainty in our world. War continues to scar nations. Communities remain divided by conflict, fear and displacement. Many of our people carry deep wounds that statistics cannot measure…. The Anglican Communion does not meet apart from these realities.’

Speaking about the importance of remaining united as the body of Christ despite the challenges we face, Archbishop Hosam shared that our fellowship ‘reminds us that communion is more than constitutional structures or historical relationships. Communion becomes visible whenever Christians bear one another’s burdens in the love of Christ.’

He challenged the members of ACC to ask an important question around the theme of the conference: ‘What does it mean to be called to one hope when our world appears increasingly fragmented? It means that Christian hope refuses to surrender to despair. Hope does not romanticise suffering nor denies it. Rather, it inspires us to walk humbly with God in the spirit of discipleship. In other words, Hope is about presence and resilience in our Risen Lord. It means that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of God’s justice, mercy and healing. It means that our diversity across cultures, languages and traditions becomes a gift rather than a barrier, because we are united in one baptism, one faith and one Lord. Hope is the daily decision to continue serving Christ even when circumstances tempt us to give up.’ 

The Vice-chair of the ACC and Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Revd Dr Hosam Naoum.
Photo: Neil Turner.

In her Presidential Address, the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, attending her first meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council and her first gathering of the Instruments of Communion, reflected on the theme of ACC-19. ‘The theme that gathers us - Called To One Hope – is a challenging one, and rightly so. It’s an invitation, despite our differences and disagreements, to trust the God who has called us together, and therefore to hope in the future he is preparing for us.

‘I also find hope in the ordinary and extraordinary life of the church, where I see God’s hand at work. All around the world, the Church is rolling up its sleeves and getting stuck in, joining in where God is already at work: in both the local and the
global.’

She concluded her address by expressing gratitude to the delegates for their presence. ‘Your very willingness to be here is a sign of hope, a sign of the faithful companionship that continues to sustain our Communion, even when our journeys are complicated and our perspectives diverse.’ 

The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally.
Photo: Neil Turner. 

ACC-19 is meeting at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre and continues until July 4. Delegates will participate in a programme of discussion and discernment regarding church and world affairs, discipleship and evangelism, science and faith, education, peace and conflict, the migration crisis, the environment, Christian Unity, Safe Church and more as churches seek to strengthen relationships and collaborate in mission and advocacy. The diversity of the Communion is reflected in those attending, with 37 Member Churches and 4 Extra Provincials represented by 100 ACC Members in attendance, with 30 representatives from Anglican Communion Commissions and Networks as well as 12 ecumenical guests.

The delegates will receive a range of reports and proposals from a variety of Anglican Commissions and Networks. This includes ‘Vision36’, an ambitious church-planting initiative aiming to start or revive one million new churches in the next decade. ACC -19 will also consider a report back from the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith, and Order (IASCUFO) on The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, which address matters of Anglican identity and Christian Unity.

Later, on the first day of ACC-19, delegates will gather at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast city centre for an opening eucharist service and attend a reception dinner to mark this opportunity for fellowship and discussion.

More information

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Photos from the event can be downloaded at:
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