THE BISHOP'S BLOG

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October 2006: Compass Rose Society Annual Meeting in London
and Study Visit to Rome

[Click each photo for a larger image]

Ruth Councell in front of St. Andrew’s House with CRS Board Member C. Robert Foltz

Ruth and I were grateful to represent the Diocese of New Jersey at the Annual Meeting of The Compass Rose Society (CRS), held in London, October 4 and 5, at St. Andrew’s House, the offices and guest house of the Anglican Communion Office.

The Compass Rose Society (CRS), established in 1997, supports the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and the Anglican Consultative Council. Through its fund-raising efforts, the Society supports the operating budget of the Anglican Communion with over $400,000 per year in contributions. Through its fellowship, mission and study visits, the Society strengthens connections and communications that bind us to some 70 million Anglicans worldwide. I am glad that the Diocese of New Jersey has been a member for some years. 

The Chapel at St Andrew's House

Over 100 members attended the Annual Meeting. In addition to elections and financial reports, we heard a presentation from the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. We also saw slide show presentations on the 2005 CRS Mission Trip to Northern Ireland and on the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the previous year. There were four workshops and a tour of the handsome recently renovated offices of the Secretary General and the Anglican Communion Staff.

The highlight of the Meeting was a gathering at Lambeth Palace to hear a presentation by the Archbishop and to attend a banquet. Responding to written questions from CRS members, the Archbishop reflected on the state of the Anglican Communion. While discussing his concerns about the 2008 Lambeth Conference and other matters, Archbishop Williams stressed the Windsor Process of listening and continuing dialogue throughout the Communion on matters of disagreement and controversy.

I had the opportunity to make a light-hearted presentation to the Archbishop: a "Rowan" sweatshirt, direct from the Rowan University Bookstore in Glassboro, New Jersey.

	Ruth Councell, Archbishop Rowan Williams, and Bishop George Councell
Bishop Councell and the Archbishop of Canterbury		Members of the Compass Rose Society

Following the Annual Meeting, we joined some 35 members on a study visit to Rome, arranged through the Anglican Center, October 6 to 11.

The Anglican Center was founded in 1966, following the historic visit of Michael Ramsey, 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, to meet Pope Paul VI. The Center is located in a grand apartment in a palazzo built in 1500 by the Doria Pamphili family. The Anglican Center houses a wonderful library (including a very large collection of works on Anglican-Roman Catholic relations) and offers study courses and tours for groups from all around the Communion. The Director of the Center is Bishop John Flack, who is also the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See.

Entrance to the Anglican Center in Palazzo Doria Pamphilj	Bishop John Flack, Anglican representative to the Vatican

Here are some photos of some of the sites along the way of our study visit to Rome:

St. Paul's Within the Walls Episcopal Church in Rome	The Rev. Dr. Michael L. Vono Rector of St. Paul’s

Fr. Michael Vono is a friend from our days of service together in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. He is the leader of St. Paul’s and its renowned outreach ministries in Rome, through the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center and other programs of service.

All Saints Church, the Church of England parish in Rome	The Rev. Jonathan Boardman Rector of All Saints’

Father Jonathan Boardman is a fine priest and pastor. He is also a gifted teacher and guide. In addition to serving as Rector of All Saints’, he is Course Chaplain at the Center. He led our group to various sites in Rome and offered brilliant and informative commentary.

Fr. Jonathan Boardman at the Vatican Museums	Ruth Councell with Lynne Butt and Alice Jean Finlay

Some general views of our time in Rome:

Looking towards Vatican City, near our hotel	St. Paul’s Without the Walls, Roman Catholic Basilica	Kenneth Kearon with the Community of Sant’ Egidio

A community of Roman Catholic lay people founded in 1968, Sant’ Egidio now numbers over 50,000 membersdedicated to evangelization, works of charity and common prayer. Following this meeting, we attended a service of Compline with members of the local community, numbering over 500. It was on a Monday night!

The Councells outside the Vatican	Waiting with hundreds of people	'Seeing' HH Pope Benedict XVI

We attended a General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, where we heard and saw (sort of) Pope Benedict XVI.

Following the Audience, we were privileged to meet with the Reverend Father Donald Bolen, who works with Anglican-Roman Catholic dialogues as a staff member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

On our final afternoon in Rome, we traveled to Tivoli and enjoyed a lovely late luncheon. Later, we walked around this beautiful estate and enjoyed the companions we had come to know along the way of this pilgrimage.

We are so grateful for this opportunity to travel and to learn about our Anglican Communion, about our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, and about the history of Christianity in Rome.

Tivoli	Tivoli gardens	More new friends

I would encourage everyone to consider membership in the Compass Rose Society and to consider a course sponsored by the Anglican Center. Both of these institutions are wonderful resources that strengthen and enrich our Communion.

Thanks be to God.

The Right Reverend George E. Councell