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:
An Eastertide Message: For a better Zambia. By Trevor Mwamba
The Rt Rev'd Trevor Mwamba, President of The United National Independence Party of Zambia (UNIP) writes in his Easter message: "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." (Matthew 28:5-6) The angel’s statement to the women on the day of resurrection was profound. What did it mean to the women and to generations of believers since then? More significantly what does it mean for us? ...There are three Easter challenges we wish to highlight that Zambians are faced with ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
So how might the Church keep up?
Dr. Keven Hall writes: Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times (09/02/2025), writing of current distain for the institutions of democracy, exhorted western politicians to ‘find courage’. It might be said of church these days that, not just finding courage, but also combatting fears, are present necessities. Why do I write this? It’s all very well to make such exhortations, but how? How to find courage? How to combat fear? So how might church keep up? ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
Review: Embarrassed – Living with a faith that makes no sense to my friends
Book review: Embarrassed by Graham Turner - Living with a faith that makes no sense to my friends Dr. Margaret Jones writes - In this memoir Graham Turner is seeking to understand his ambivalence towards the Christianity which is depicted in the structures, language and worship of today’s churches. He fears that the church has become irrelevant to most people and an embarrassment to those who seek to follow Jesus and his message of love... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
Editorial: Are we our own worst enemy?
The Editor: the Rev'd Dr. Nicholas Henderson writes in his Lent editorial: So, a potentially ‘level-3’ threat asteroid is heading towards us at 38,000 mph with a 3.1% chance of hitting the earth. Increasingly, sophisticated astronomical observations are spotting more potential rock-like visitors coming from the region between the planets Mars and Jupiter and sometimes further afield still. Dystopian disaster movies and a better understanding of the ancient ages of the earth, on news of space debris coming our way, are always mindful of the epoch and evolutionary changing possibilities of another Dinosaur like extinction event. These usually resolve the crisis by sending a rocket to blow the culprit to smithereens (not wise) or much better to nudge a change in its trajectory. Interestingly, this latter scenario has been tried out successfully raising hopes for a safer future. Safer for what, we might reply? Very likely the rocket rescue concerned might come from a multi-billionaire with seemingly a huge amount of non-elected power. The same kind of power that could potentially turn off satellite navigation on a whim and plunge nations of the world into even more chaos. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
God’s Graffiti? – Guest Editorial
Professor Martyn Percy writes in his Guest Editorial: Undoubtedly the nation (by which I mean England) is now at a turning point in its history and culture. In 2034, the Church of England—a national Protestant church that decisively broke from Rome—will be 500 years old. Lambeth Palace has no plans to mark this event, as Anglicans are divided on whether this is their quincentenary. Some Anglicans think that the Church of England is a continuing Catholic church. That is not how the Vatican views this national Protestant denomination founded in Swiss-German Reformed theology. Unable to explain itself, the Church of England hierarchy stays quiet on such issues, doubtless hoping that keeping up appearances will obfuscate the reality. ... CLICK ON PICTURE TO CONTINUE
Renewing Communion: A queering of unity and colonialism
The Rev'd Dr. Charlie Bell summarises: The Anglican Communion as a trans-national and interdependent community of Christians is facing potential catastrophe. The Communion remains a creature of colonialism, both in the way it lives out its mission and in its structures. At the heart of the Communion’s breakdown in koinonia has been the ‘possibility’ of same-sex or same-gender love, something made somehow distinct and, as a result, problematised. This article considers the underlying complex dynamics of colonisation and the ongoing refusal of the Anglican Communion to engage in reflexive practice. The opportunity of redemption through queerness is identified, and the barriers to such a journey of hope in the Communion both engaged with and challenged. Similarly, the appeal to ‘unity’ is confronted and itself disrupted. Finally, the intrinsic relationship between decolonisation and queerness is identified and celebrated as a key to a healthy future for what it means to be Anglican. ... 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.