Lambeth Palace |
Adapted from ACNS
The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced the appointment of Sarah Snyder as his new adviser for reconciliation. She takes over from Canon David Porter, who in May moved into his new role as the archbishop’s chief of staff and strategy.
Snyder will take up the role in September. She will be part of the senior team at Lambeth Palace while also being based at Coventry Cathedral. She will support the church during and after conflict, and help it to be an agent of reconciliation and transformation.
A theologian who specializes in Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations, Snyder brings international experience of peace-building and dialogue. She has worked to promote faith-based reconciliation, most recently as director of partnerships with Religions for Peace International, an organization affiliated with the United Nations. She has also directed Cambridge International Summer Schools for faith leaders from conflict zones. A trained mediator, she has experience of working with communities and with senior religious leaders.
Snyder is founding director of the Rose Castle Foundation, an international center of reconciliation. The Rt. Rev. James Newsome, Bishop of Carlisle, and Professor David Ford are chairmen of the foundation, which welcomes people regardless of their faith.
She collaborates with St. Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London. St Ethelburga’s is based in a church destroyed by a bomb in 1993.
Speaking about the appointment, Archbishop Justin said: “I am delighted that Sarah Snyder will be my adviser for reconciliation,” Archbishop Welby said. “Sarah brings a wealth of experience and many gifts to the role, which will enrich both her reconciliation work and the senior team at Lambeth Palace. I am also grateful for the continued partnership with Coventry Cathedral, where my reconciliation ministry will continue to be based. Events in recent weeks remind us that that reconciliation is more of a priority than ever. This is the hope we offer in the good news of Jesus.”
