Affirming Catholicism Sets Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving for New Archbishop of Canterbury
Episcopal News Service. December 2, 2002 [2002-271-4]
Affirming Catholicism--a renewal and spirituality movement in the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Church of Ireland and the Scottish Episcopal Church as well as the wider Anglican Communion--has called for a day of prayer and thanksgiving December 6 for Archbishop Rowan Williams, the new archbishop of Canterbury.
'We are increasingly aware of the vast ministry portfolio that the archbishop carries on behalf of Anglicans and Episcopalians around the world,' said the Rev. Stephen Conway, chair of the organization. 'If we take our faith and practice seriously we need to give thanks for those called to such an important office and to keep them in our prayers.'
December 6 is the feast day for the third century bishop, St. Nicholas of Myra, 'traditionally a time of gifts, which makes it an excellent day to celebrate what a gift from God Rowan is to the whole church,' Conway said.
'Such a day of prayer and thanksgiving for one of its founding members is a most appropriate thing for the movement known as Affirming Catholicism to encourage,' said Bishop Christopher Epting, deputy for ecumenical and interfaith relations. He noted that Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold is American Patron of the organization and he is a co-patron. 'We strive to live disciplined lives of prayer, worship and study and this will be an opportunity to be bound together in that prayer.'
Affirming Catholicism offers sample prayers on its web site at www.affirmingcatholicism.org.uk.