Archbishop of Canterbury to Make History at General Assembly

Friday May 20

^{The Rt Rev Angus Morrison and Most Rev Justin Welby at February's General Synod of the Church of England}

The Archbishop of Canterbury is set to make history on Wednesday when he will become the first head of the Church of England to take part in a debate at the Church of Scotland’s General.

The Most Rev Justin Welby will speak in support of a landmark report, the Columba Declaration, which proposes that the two denominations enter into an historic ecumenical partnership.

Under the terms of the proposal, which is closely modelled on existing ecumenical agreements between other churches, both denominations would welcome one another's members into congregations and ordained ministers would be allowed to exercise ministry within the existing discipline of each church only within England and continental Europe.

The Moderator of last year’s General Assembly, the Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, took part in a debate on the Columba Declaration at February’s Church of England’s General Synod in London, which formally approved the agreement.

Dr Morrison said: “We all look forward to welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury to the General Assembly on Wednesday to speak to the historic Columba Declaration.

“It was my privilege to address the General Synod of the Church of England on the same document and by a very large majority the Synod affirmed it.

“I am confident that our General Assembly will do so too.

“In itself the Declaration is largely of a symbolic nature but it does pave the way for our further growth in fellowship and for extending partnership in mission as sister and national churches who share many common roots, challenges and opportunities.

“We wish this to happen in the closest possible fellowship with other sister churches in the United Kingdom as we seek together to address the challenges of mission in our country today.”

Archbishops of Canterbury have regularly visited and addressed the General Assembly, most recently Dr Rowan Williams in 2012, but none have taken part in a debate.

The 2016 General Assembly opens tomorrow (Saturday).

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