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The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury fills a unique position in the world-wide Anglican Communion. As primus inter pares (first among equals), of the Bishops, he serves the Anglican Church as spiritual leader. As Archbishop of Canterbury he meets with his fellow Bishops for the Lambeth Conference once a decade. A meeting of the Primates, the Archbishop or most senior Bishop for each Church, occurs every two to three years. The Archbishop of Canterbury also meets representatives from every Church in all orders - Bishops, Priest, Deacon, Laity - at the Anglican Consultative Council. These three bodies, plus the office of the Archbishop himself, form the instruments of unity. These meetings throughout the Communion provide a forum for discussion, consultation and mutual support for the Church's membership, while honouring the autonomy and interdependence of each of the Churches. In addition to the important ecumenical and other roles the Archbishop takes on for the ministry of the Anglican Communion, he also is Bishop of Canterbury in England, and Archbishop of the Province of Canterbury, which includes the Diocese of Central and Southern England and the Diocese in Europe. The Archbishop of Canterbury is Primate of All England. He also has a seat in the House of Lords, and thus, an important voice in the British Parliament. In addition to these, he has special authority over a small number of dioceses around the world that are not yet autonomous, having not attained provincial status. Why not visit the Archbishop of Canterbury Web Site.
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