Media Advisory
Anglican and Catholic bishops to meet in Rome and Canterbury for the ecumenical summit Growing Together - during Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (22-29 January) Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury will commission bishops for joint mission and witness
Meeting during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, bishops from the Anglican and Roman Catholic traditions will be gathering for Growing Together - a weeklong summit for ecumenical discussion and pilgrimage in Rome and Canterbury between 22 and 29 January 2024.
The bishops will come in pairs - Anglican and Catholic - representing different countries from around the world. Over 50 bishops are participating, from 27 countries.
Visiting holy sites in both Rome and Canterbury, the bishops will pray, reflect and learn from one another. The aim is to discuss ways of growing together in joint witness and mission in the world.
On January 25, near the tomb of the Apostle Paul, Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury will commission the bishops, sending them out in pairs, to be witnesses to Christian Unity. This will be a significant moment, symbolic for Anglican-Catholic bonds and advancing ecumenical dialogue.
The Summit is organised by IARCCUM - the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission. IARCCUM is an official commission of the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, established to support ecumenical dialogue between the traditions.
Alongside daily discussions, the bishops will make visits to the following sites:
In Rome (22 – 26 January)
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25 January
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The church of San Bartolomeo, where the Archbishop of Canterbury will preside and preach at a sung Anglican Eucharist.
Commissioning of the bishops by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis at the tomb of the Apostle Paul (Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls).
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26 January
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A visit to the church of San Gregorio al Celio, from where the first Archbishop of Canterbury was sent to England by Pope Gregory the Great in 597.
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In Canterbury (26 -29 January)
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28 January
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Bishops to take part in Choral Eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral, where the Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow, will preach. Discussions on a joint statement about the future work of IARCCUM / ongoing dialogue.
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Communications
In collaboration with the IARCCUM steering committee, the Anglican Communion Office will share a series of new releases, social media commentary, photos and short film clips during the week. Channels used will include:
Main announcements
The Anglican Communion office website:
https://www.anglicancommunion.org/communications/press-and-media.aspx
Anglican Communion News Service:
https://www.anglicannews.org/
IARCCUM website:
https://iarccum.org/
Media Enquiries
Janet Miles – Communications Lead for the Growing Together Summit
Anglican Communion Office
Janet.miles@lambethconference.org / Janet.Miles@anglicancommunion.org
+44 7595 205 540
Fr Martin Browne OSB
Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity mbrowne@christianunity.va
+39 335 669 4427
