CAGO inspector makes vows

On Wednesday 6 March 2024, the Vice-President of the Central Committee, the Secretary-General and the Second Secretary were pleased to attend a special service at Holy Trinity, Brussels where the Inspector-Advisor for Anglican Religious Education in Flanders, Birte Day, professed vows to a consecrated, celebate life as a member of the religious community of Wauvremont. As part of her vows to Bishop Robert Innes, Birte has taken the name ‘Sister Julian’ (of Norwich). The service was very well attended by people of many faiths, colleagues from education, and ecumenical partners. It featured prayers and music in several languages. The Central Committee wishes Sister Julian every blessing.

Focusgroepsgesprek Eredienstdecreet evaluatie

Op 1 maart 2024 hebben de secretaris-generaal en de tweede secretaris van het Centraal Comité deelgenomen van een focusgroepsgesprek samen met andere vertegenwoordigers van de erkende erediensten in Vlaanderen bij de Universiteit Antwerpen. De Vlaamse overheid heeft twee onderzoekers aangesteld om de Eredienstdecreet van 2004 te evalueren met oog op mogelijke aanpassingen voor in het heden. De onderzoekers brachten hun eerste bevindingen uit aan een kleine groep van de erediensten maar dit was nog niet een eind rapport wat in april 2024 zal verschijnen. Het was heel leerzaam voor iedereen.

The Chaplain-President in the Congo #2

The Chaplain-President continues his interviews in Kinshasa in connection with the KU Leuven project he is leading there. After a series of interviews on 27 and 28 February, on 29 February he was pleased to meet for a long discussion with Mr Joseph Mobutu Jr, one of the sons of the former president of Congo-Zaïre, Joseph-Désiré Mobutu Sese Seko. A very interesting discussion took place concerning the real President Mobutu behind the headlines, and the dignity, spiritual identity and prosperity of the Congolese people.

Le chapelain-président au Congo

Dans le cadre de son projet "theo teams" à la KU Leuven sur les relations entre le cardinal Malula et le président Mobutu dans les années 1970, le chapelain-président, aidé de son doctorant Nathan Ngoy, est de passage cette semaine et la semaine prochaine à Kinshasa pour une série d'interviews et de consultations d'archives. Nos photos montrent une consultation avec le père Freddy Ngwashi, secrétaire-général de la Commission épiscopale d'évangélisation de l'Eglise catholique en RDC.

The Chaplain-President preaches at the University of Cambridge

On Sunday 18 February, the Chaplain-President was honoured to preach the college sermon in Christ's College, University of Cambridge. The theme for this term in Christ's College Chapel is "Translation", and Jack preached in both French and English on the acute problems of understanding which arise if the Greek text of the New Testament is mis-translated into English or French. The Bishop of Huntingdon was present in the service to give the final blessing, and Jack and Bishop Dagmar had a chance to converse about current EU affairs, where Bishop Dagmar's role as Vice-President of CEC is of invaluable service to the Anglican representation.

It was a wonderful opportunity for the Chaplain-President to share about how the Anglican church in Belgium operates and to connect with fellow Anglican clergy. Jack also always enjoys the chance to visit his alma mater, where his brother, Lord Simon McDonald, is the Master of Christ’s College.

Bishop Mark visits KU Leuven

On 16 February, the Chaplain-President was delighted to welcome Bishop Mark Edington of the Convocation of Episcopal churches in Europe to Leuven, to visit the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies there. KU Leuven has the largest faculty of theology in Europe, currently ranked 5th in the world. Two Anglican priests lecture in the faculty, the Chaplain-President himself Jack McDonald and the Revd Prof Hector Patmore. Bishop Mark, Hector and Jack had a useful meeting about possible relations between KU Leuven and seminaries of the Episcopal Church in the USA.

The Archbishop of Canterbury visits Brussels

On 14 February, Bishop Robert and the Chaplain-President hosted Archbishop Justin Welby in Brussels during his one-day visit. Following his visit to Ukraine last week, the Archbishop wished to report his learnings to the European Union. Meetings took place with Margaritis Schinas (Vice-President of the European Commission), Stefano Sannino (Secretary-General of the European External Action Service), Father Manuel Prieto and Archbishop Noël Treanor (Secretary-General of the Commission of Catholic Bishops' Conferences of the EU and Papal Nuncio to the EU), Othmar Karas (Vice-President of the European Parliament), Nicola Censini (Coordinator of the Article 17 Dialogue in the European Parliament), Caroline Read (Deputy British Ambassador to the EU) and Martin Shearman and Chloe Louter (British Ambassador and Deputy British Ambassador to Belgium).

This made for a very full day for Archbishop Justin but also a very productive one, in which heartfelt and constructive views were shared about the future of Ukraine, about future relations between the EU and the UK, and about Catholic and Anglican social teaching. Many thanks to Archbishop Justin and Dr Charles Reed (his adviser for foreign affairs) for coming to visit us and for sharing such important insights.

Ash Wednesday - As woensdag - Mercredi des cendres

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the season before Easter and approximately 6 weeks of fasting and penance.

In the Anglican Church, the prayer for today is:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dieu tout-puissant et éternel, toi qui ne hais rien de ce que tu as fait et qui pardonnes les péchés de tous ceux qui sont pénitents, crée et façonne en nous des cœurs nouveaux et contrits, afin que, déplorant dignement nos péchés et reconnaissant notre misère, nous recevions de toi, le Dieu de toute miséricorde, une rémission et un pardon parfaits, par Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur. Amen.

Almachtige en eeuwige God, U haat niets van wat U gemaakt hebt en vergeeft de zonden van allen die berouw hebben: schep en maak in ons nieuwe en berouwvolle harten, opdat wij, waardig onze zonden betreurend en onze ellende erkennend, van U, de God van alle barmhartigheid, volkomen vergeving en vergeving mogen ontvangen; door Jezus Christus, onze Heer. Amen.

Meeting at Comece on Christian values in the European elections

On 13 February, both Bishop Robert and the Chaplain-President attended a meeting at Comece which was co-organised by Comece (the commission of the RC bishops' conferences in the EU states), CEC (the conference of European Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches) and the IAO (the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy). A wide array of MEPs, observers from the European Commission, members of national parliaments and other interested parties discussed how to encourage the acknowledgement of Christian values in the debates leading up to the European elections, and how to combat Christian values being weaponised by political parties for ethno-nationalist motives. The discussion was energetic and constructive, and the group agreed to meet again in the near future.

Article 17 Dialogue

On 13 February, the Chaplain-President, in his capacity as Bishop Robert's adviser for EU affairs, attended and spoke at the European Parliament's Article 17 Dialogue on "Raising awareness against disinformation and foreign interference in the European elections". A very full committee-room heard a number of impassioned speeches on how the religions and philosophical organisations can contribute towards spreading true and accurate information about the European elections and fostering true and accurate beliefs about what the European Union is and does.

Shrove Tuesday - Vastenavond - Mardi gras

Photo by M Draa on Unsplash

Shrove Tuesday is the feast day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

Also known as ‘Fat Tuesday’ or ‘Pancake Day’, the tradition of British Christians enjoying pancakes on Shrove Tuesday dates back to the 16th century. It was customary in many cultures to eat pancakes or other foods made with the butter, eggs, and fat that would be given up during the Lenten season.

In the Anglican Church, the prayer for this day is:

Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Père tout-puissant, dont le Fils s'est révélé dans sa majesté avant de souffrir la mort sur la croix, donne-nous la grâce de percevoir sa gloire, afin que nous soyons fortifiés pour souffrir avec lui et être transformés en sa ressemblance, de gloire en gloire, lui qui est vivant et règne avec toi, dans l'unité du Saint-Esprit, un seul Dieu, maintenant et pour les siècles des siècles. Amen.

Almachtige Vader, uw Zoon werd geopenbaard in majesteit voordat hij de dood onderging aan het kruis: geef ons genade om zijn heerlijkheid waar te nemen, zodat we gesterkt worden om met hem te lijden en te veranderen in zijn gelijkenis, van heerlijkheid tot heerlijkheid; die leeft en regeert met u, in de eenheid van de Heilige Geest, één God, nu en voor altijd. Amen.

Article 17 Dialogue discussion on EU-Pakistan relations

On 12 February, the Chaplain-President represented Bishop Robert at a discussion of the relations between the EU and Pakistan hosted at the European Commission by Baron Frans van Daele, the EU's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, prior to the Special Envoy's forthcoming visit to Pakistan. A wide-ranging and positive discussion took place about ways of fostering closer relations between the EU and Pakistan and about the best ways of confronting particular issues between the EU and Pakistan, such as blasphemy laws, the legal protection of religious minorities and secular humanists, and the education of the general public about religious minorities.

Emouna Belgique at Holy Trinity Brussels

On 7 February, the Chaplain-President, Secretary-General and Second Secretary were pleased to host the Emouna Belgique session that is held annually at Holy Trinity Brussels.

Emouna is an interfaith leadership program that focuses on study, reflection, inter-religious dialogue and social engagement. This year, there are two participants from Anglican churches in Belgian attending.

The theme for the day was religious art, with lectures from specialists and a time for creative expression at art atelier in the afternoon. Before the classes, the Chaplain-President gave a tour of the church and a delicious lunch was provided by the Community Kitchen charity, which is run from Holy Trinity.

Dr Rowan Williams lectures in Brussels

Chaplain-president Jack McDonald, Bishop Robert Innes, Armin Kummer, Revd Annie Bolger, The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, visited Brussels this past weekend. His schedule included a lecture on “Doctrinal diversity and Christian communion”, which focused on the important role that different views and practices play within the Church as a whole and how vital it is to create spaces for dialogue in which a heterogeneity of voices can be heard.

Both the Chaplain-president and the Second Secretary attended the lecture, which was organised by the Communauté Internationale Saint-Dominique and Holy Trinity Brussels, and Prof McDonald moderated the Q & A session after the lecture. The event was well attended and theme of the day was highlighted in the diverseness of denominations that were represented.

Vlaams Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog

Op 2 februari 2024 hebben de secretaris-generaal en tweede secretaris van het Centraal Comité van de Anglicaanse Eredienst in België de laatste vergadering van het Vlaams Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog (VILD) bijgewoond.

Het dialoog heeft onder andere gesproken over: erkenning van spirituele zorgverleners, stand van zaken van erkenningsdossiers, de situatie in het Midden-Oosten, de parlementaire commissies over seksueel misbruik, en over de verkiezingen.

Candlemas - La Chandeleur - Maria-Lichtmis

Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

In Belgium, we celebrate by eating pancakes as they symbolise the lengthening days after a dark winter and use up the wheat from the previous year’s harvest.

In the Anglican Church, the prayer for this day is:

Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dieu tout-puissant et vivant, revêtu de majesté, dont le Fils bien-aimé a été présenté aujourd'hui dans le Temple, en substance de notre chair : accorde-nous de nous présenter à toi avec des cœurs purs, par ton Fils Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur. Amen.

Almachtige en eeuwig levende God, bekleed met majesteit, wiens geliefde Zoon vandaag in de Tempel werd voorgesteld, in vlees zoals dat van ons: geef dat wij aan u worden voorgesteld met zuivere en reine harten, door uw Zoon Jezus Christus, onze Heer. Amen.

1 jaar digitalisering erediensten

De zon straalde binnen het mooi grenoveerde bibliotheek van Mechelen op 1 februari 2024 voor een bijeenkomst met de Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur en de erkende erediensten in Vlaanderen. Het was precies 1 jaar geleden dat alle communicatie tussen de lokale gemeenschappen en de overheden digitaal moeten plaatsvinden. De secretaris-generaal heeft de anglicaanse eredienst vertegenwoordigd. Opmerkelijk is dat 99,9% van de geloofsgemeenschappen in Vlaanderen hebben de verandering gemaakt. Dat grote succes is gewaardeerd en het is gehoopt dat deze samenwerking voorbeeld voor de toekomst kan zijn. De deelnemers hebben daarna genoten van een lekkere lunch.

Annual Sant'Egidio Interfaith Harmony Breakfast

On 1 February, the Chaplain-President was honoured to represent the Anglicans of Belgium and Bishop Robert at the annual breakfast for interfaith leaders organised in the Hôtel Plaza in Brussels by our great friends Sant'Egidio Belgium. The breakfast takes place in the context of World Interfaith Harmony Week. The morning was opened by Baron Jan De Volder, a colleague of Jack's in KU Leuven and the guiding force behind the Humanitarian Corridors initiative in which the Central Committee is deeply invested, this year with the precious help of St Martha and St Mary's Anglican Church Leuven. The principal speaker was Mevr Nicole de Moor, Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration in Prime Minister De Croo's government. A most interesting discussion followed on the detail of the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact and its implications for the safety of asylum-seekers and other migrants coming into Europe.

To find out more about this event and the wonderful work of Sant’Egidio, visit their website.

World Interfaith Harmony Week

Established by the UN, the World Interfaith Harmony Week runs from February 1 to February 7.

With the motto ‘Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour’, and ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’, this week is all about promoting harmony among peoples of different faiths, at a time when interreligious conflict is claiming lives and livelihoods all over the world.

We are grateful for all the fruitful work faith groups and secularist communities carry out in Belgium and we pray that we may continue to be increasingly aware of each other and strengthen ties to bring evermore peace and harmony to our communities.

Réception du Nouvel An offerte par SM le Roi

Le 30 janvier, the chapelain-président a eu l'honneur de représenter les anglicans de Belgique à la réception du Nouvel An donnée par le Roi. Cette année, la réception avait lieu au palais de Laeken, le palais de Bruxelles étant en rénovation. Le Premier ministre et le Roi ont tous les deux prononcé d'excellents discours sur les défis auxquels la Belgique et l'Europe sont confrontées aujourd'hui : la précarité sociale et le changement climatique sont des phénomènes particulièrement préoccupants. Les discours étaient suivis d'une réception très conviviale.