The Anglican Communion Office in London welcomed 31 Anglican seminarians and recently ordained clergy from across the world on June 6. The visitors represent 18 countries.
“It is a very good for me to be here, to explore different cultures, the different ministries in the different parts of the Anglican Communion,” said Jason Leung, a seminarian from Hong Kong. “I think it will enrich my future ministry as a priest in my own city, in Hong Kong. I’m very happy to be here and to meet many new friends from around the world.”
“So far this has been an amazing experience working with people from all different cultures,” said the Rev. Matt Koovisk, a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada. “We may come from different cultures and different experiences, but we all are part of the body of Christ.”
“I’m happy to have come to the home of Anglicanism and to share this unity in diversity,” said the Rev. Daniso Muchicwa, a new priest of the Anglican Church of the Province of Zimbabwe. “We come from different cultural backgrounds, but here we are all a family.”
The Rev. Son Issah Ali, a priest from Malawi, said the experience has given him a greater understanding of what it means to be Anglican.
“I thank the church for sending me here, and also for the welcome received here at the Anglican Communion Office,” he said. “Indeed, we are one. This shows our oneness.
“Had I not been here, I would have said No, the Church is not one. But I am seeing the oneness, as we share developments in the church, as we share smiles, and as we shared the Holy Table in the chapel earlier, as we share lunch now, together. This is really communion.”
The group of seminarians and clergy gathered in Canterbury on June 1 for two weeks of Bible study, worship, and fellowship.
The Rev. Marcea Paul, a priest of the Episcopal Church, described the time as wonderful.
“It’s a beautiful holy space to be in, and I’ve met some wonderful, wonderful people from all over the Communion,” she said.
Adapted from a report by Amelia Brown for ACNS
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
