ENGLAND: Coventry's 'Cross of Nails' comes to Anglican Communion chapel
Episcopal News Service. February 29, 2008 [022908-04]
St. Andrew's Chapel at the Anglican Communion Secretariat in Westbourne Park, London, was designated a "Cross of Nails Centre" by the Dean of Coventry, the Very Rev. John Irvine, on Friday, February 29, in the presence of members of the Primates and Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) Joint Standing Committee.
The International Community of the Cross of Nails has a unique history. Its website states that "on the 14th November 1940, much of the City of Coventry was reduced to rubble by German bombs. The Cathedral, at the heart of the city, burned with it. In the terrible aftermath that followed, Provost Howard wrote the words 'Father forgive' on the smoke-blackened wall of the sanctuary. Two of the charred beams which had fallen in the shape of a cross were set on the altar and three of the medieval nails were bound into the shape of a cross."
A Eucharist, with ACC Chairman and Auckland Bishop John Paterson presiding, was held at the historic chapel at 5.45 p.m. (GMT) in the presence of members of the Community of St. Andrew, the original occupiers of St. Andrews House, formerly a deaconess community. Bishop John Stroyan of the Diocese of Warwick preached and former Coventry Bishop Colin Bennetts was present.
Irvine presented the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, with a replica model of the cross for use in the chapel. Each Friday, the set Litany of Reconciliation will be said by the staff and visitors to this international office.
This dramatic representation of a charred cross of nails has become a global symbol of reconciliation. "After the Second World War, Crosses of Nails were presented to Kiel, Dresden and Berlin, cities shattered by Allied bombing: Out of the ashes grew a trust and partnership between Coventry and the German cities," according to Coventry Cathedral's website.
The centers now number more than 160 around the world, "all emanating from this early, courageous vision, and all working for peace and reconciliation within their own communities and countries."
"It is a great privilege to be part of growing number of people committed to praying for reconciliation in our war-torn and troubled world," said Kearon. "Many of our own Anglican faithful throughout the world face incredible obstacles in their daily lives. I believe this cross of nails in our chapel will help inspire us all in our desire to do more for peace-making and reconciliation on every level."
There are no boundaries to the focus of the Cross of Nails centers, as stated on the website. Issues include "politics, race, religion, economics, sexual orientation or personal." The work can have "broad and far-reaching, national consequences, or it can make just a small -- nonetheless significant -- difference to people's lives. Centers can be churches, reconciliation centers, prisons, NGOs and schools, any body of people who have a heart and a need to pursue reconciliation in their own lives and the lives of others."
The centers in Germany and the U.S. are administered by national boards; others range over all continents -- from Africa to Australia, Europe to Asia: a global network, with centers being encourage to support each other -- practically and prayerfully.
Further information about the Cross of Nails is available here.