Welcome to Anglicanism.org a depository of papers, articles and items of general interest. Whilst many contributions are linked to the generic theme of Anglicanism we also feature a wide range of subjects beyond any particular definition.
The website contains a free-to-use library for information and study. We started life in 2009 as a specialist vehicle for the publication of pre-doctoral papers. However, the site has long since outgrown that rather narrow range and (we like to think) become something much more accessible without surrendering academic integrity.
You are welcome to browse, read and download. Perhaps you would like to submit a paper, letter or comment as well? If so please email the Editor at the address below. We are not a blogsite but we also have linked Facebook and Twitter pages where you may add your online comments.
Editor: The Rev’d Dr. Nicholas Henderson
Email: info@anglicanism.org
Latest Additions:
The Anglican Communion – A way forward
Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando writes in his Letter to the Editor: It is high time for all the members of the world-wide Anglican Communion to realise the true nature of the Anglican fellowship to comprehend the tensions of the 21st century. The fact that the structure of the Anglican communion is in between the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches makes matters complicated in seeking an understanding in the context of differences of opinion in various parts of the world. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
More tea Archbishop? – Editorial a new Archbishop of Canterbury
The Editor: The Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes: The appointment of a woman as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury is to be welcomed. Apart from those in the more conservative wings of the Church, the choice of someone with two copies of the X chromosome is nowadays of little or no consequence. The Rt Rev’d and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally the current Bishop of London fits the bill. ... She has, of course, an impossible job specification. ... “How is it that the Roman Catholics can elect a Pope in two days of conclave, whilst it has taken the Church of England almost a year?” A fair question asked of this author, who was bound to reply “… but the Archbishop of Canterbury isn’t a Pope.” Indeed far from it, the post-Reformation settlement that led eventually to the wider Anglican Communion with the Church of England having the monarch as its Supreme Governor was as a result of Protestants looking carefully at their bibles and being unconvinced of a Petrine succession. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
Book Review: Keith Mascord “An Honest Faith: The Possible Friendship of Athens and Jerusalem’
Reviewer David Ellis writes: Keith Mascord faces up to the challenge to orthodox faith put by literary-historical analysis. First he “deconstructs" the Bible as history, and then re-establishes it as “mythology”, truthful, even if not true. Then he starts a discussion about the way ahead. This book reminded me of a Pauline Epistle for example 1 Corinthians, with a personal introduction, a teaching agenda, and then some theology. But above all it is, like the Epistles, a missionary not an academic work. The Author is the yeast, sharing his own struggles as he progresses from devout Evangelical to lecturer in Philosophy, and then to an Anglican Priest delisted for his liberal views. Like Paul he attacks his enemies. ... CLICK ON PICTURE FOR FULL REVIEW
In Memoriam Bishop Kenneth Fernado
The Rev'd Marc Millimoira writes in his memorial tribute to the late Bishop Kenneth Fernando: The Right Reverend Kenneth Michael James Fernando, 13th Bishop of Colombo from 1992 to 2000, was the quintessential Audacious Anglican who always tried to hold in balance (and often in tension) the different expressions of the Anglican Way while also courageously exploring new directions in theology, mission and ministry for the Church to be relevant as it engaged in the missio dei. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
Palestine: Inaction against Genocide and War Crimes – An Open Letter to the British Prime Minister
The Public Square Group in its Open Letter to the British Primes Minister writes: We write to you as a Christian group concerned with the social, political and economic wellbeing of our nation and the wider world. Now is the time for your Government to lend support to them, doing everything necessary to relieve starvation and do everything necessary for peace, humanity, and justice in Gaza and the West Bank. ... We are appalled by the atrocities being committed by Israel in Palestine, which amount to war crimes or genocide, or both. The declared policy of the State of Israel includes - attacking innocent civilians, predominantly including women and children; - using starvation as a means of war, and that - an entire population is being driven out of their homes. CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
Genocide in Gaza and War Crimes in the West Bank – An Open Letter
In an Open Letter the Public Square Group authors write: We, along with so many of our fellow-citizens, are appalled by the atrocities being committed in Gaza and the West Bank, which is causing so much widespread starvation, death and destruction to thousands. ... It really is time for a strong public witness from our Church and nation ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE ...
Anglicanism traces its antecedents back to the independent Romano-British Church during the first few centuries of Christianity, the arrival of St Augustine of Canterbury at the behest of Pope Gregory the Great in the late sixth century, a replacement of indigenous Celtic/Irish traditions with Latin oversight in the seventh century and then onwards to the tumultuous sixteenth century the Reformation and the break with Rome. Subsequently modern Anglicanism has slowly emerged, at times almost accidentally, at first in the English speaking world and then as a worldwide denomination.
To describe Anglicanism in a paragraph scarcely does it justice but being in communion with the see of Canterbury has come to define a type of Christianity with a wide range of liturgical practice, a spectrum of theological interpretation and the inevitable tensions that exist in a body that spans countries and cultures. Not strictly speaking a Church, although the term ‘Anglican Church’ is frequently used, the Anglican Communion is now represented in some 144 countries.
The Compass Rose is the emblem of the Anglican Communion. It was originally designed by the late Canon Edward West of New York. The Greek inscription ‘The Truth Shall Make You Free’ (John 8:32) surrounds the cross. The compass points to Anglican/Episcopal Christianity throughout the world with the mitre on the top indicating the role of episcopacy and apostolic order that is characteristic of churches of the Communion.
The modern design is by Giles Bloomfield and the symbol was set in the nave of the mother church of the Anglican Communion, the Cathedral Church of Christ in Canterbury, founded 597 – (photograph above). It was dedicated by Archbishop Robert Runcie at the final Eucharist of the Lambeth Conference in 1988. A similar Compass Rose was dedicated in Washington National Cathedral in 1990 to encourage worldwide use. The official Anglican Communion flag with the emblem was designed by the Rev’d Bruce Nutter of Australia.