The Diocese of Seoul in the Anglican Church of Korea has hosted the bishops’ meeting of the Council of Churches in East Asia (CCEA). The CCEA gathers church leaders from Anglican traditions together every year, with member churches rotating the host role. This year, the meeting also invited bishops’ spouses to attend.

The meeting, held from 15 to 19 October in Seoul, was attended by bishops from East Asian provinces in the Anglican Communion under the theme, ‘Seeds of the Gospel: Mission in East Asia’ drawn from the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:32. Bishops were present from the Church of the Province of South East Asia, Nippon Sei Ko Kai (the Anglican Church of Japan), the Diocese of Taiwan (The Episcopal Church), Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church of Hong Kong), the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, the Church in the Province of Myanmar, as well as associate participants from the Anglican Church of Australia and Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

The Most Revd Elijah Jang-Whan Kim, Bishop of Seoul and Primate of the Anglican Church of Korea, told Anglican News that the meeting was ‘very precious’ and that he considered it ‘a real joy to host my fellow bishops from across the East Asian Anglican churches… There is an unbroken bond of affection as a family regardless of our theological differences and tensions... this is our way forward to respect our differences as well as unite in our common mission in an East Asian context. ...we are unified as a church, as a family of God, as the Anglican body of Christ in this region: this is our current present reality as well as our future direction and possibility.’

The Most Revd Dr Titus Chung, Chair of CCEA, Bishop of Singapore and Primate of the Church of the Province of South East Asia, told participants, ‘I believe we have been strengthened in relationship and understanding of one another’s ministries. Not just through the official things we have done, but in dining together and talking while on the coach, learning to live out the life of Christ together. Our differences don’t stop us being true disciples. We are trying harder to be Christ-like… in the hope that this impacts the rest of the body of Christ.’

The Rt Revd Dr Jo Wells, Deputy Secretary General and Bishop for Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion, also attended the meeting and was invited by the primate to preach at Seoul Cathedral on 18 October. She spoke on the teaching of Jesus to ‘Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s,’ remembering that God’s currency is Grace.

‘Christ has paid our dues,’ Bishop Jo said. ‘Christ has called us into the family of God’s kingdom. Christ has bestowed upon us the glorious liberty of the children of God. That’s where our security rests. That’s where our freedom lies’.

In addition to hearing reports from the provinces in East Asia, engaging in dialogues, bible study and prayer, the participants also visited sites of spiritual and cultural significance in Seoul. Bishops and their spouses visited the Convent of the Society of the Holy Cross, the Woori Village, an Anglican-supported care facility for adults with developmental disabilities, Ganghwa Anglican Church (one of the oldest Anglican Churches in Korea) and Ganghwa Christian History Memorial Hall, which outlines the history of Anglican and Methodist missions on Ganghwa Island since the 1890s.

Bishops and their spouses visited Ganghwa Anglican Church, one of the oldest churches in Korea, during a meeting of bishops in East Asian provinces.

Spouses also engaged in a programme of cultural activities, including visiting the National Museum of Korea and Gyeongbokgung Palace (the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395).

More information

See the welcome messages of the Chair of CCEA and the host primate from the meeting in Seoul.

Find out more about Member Churches of the Anglican Communion.