The first gathering of Anglican Primates to be held in Rome is taking place this week, where the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev Mark Strange, has joined senior archbishops, presiding bishops, and moderators of the churches of the Anglican Communion.

The primates will pray and study Scripture together, visit holy sites in Rome, and reflect together about the mission and witness of the Church in the world. 

The programme includes a meeting with Pope Francis and conversation with Cardinal Grech about the meaning and promise of synodality for the whole Church.  

The primates will also undertake a pilgrimage in the city, visiting both St Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (where St Paul the Apostle is buried), besides visits to Tre Fontane, Santa Maria in Trastevere, and the Community of Sant’Egidio.  

They are being hosted by Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

The primates were due to meet in Rome in 2020, but the meeting was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Primates’ Meeting is one of the ‘Instruments’ of the Anglican Communion, that works for unity amongst Anglican churches globally. The other instruments are The Anglican Consultative Council, The Lambeth Conference and The Archbishop of Canterbury. 

More details are available on the Anglican Communion News Service website here.