NEWS
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
“Goodness is stronger than evil; Love is stronger than hate; Light is stronger than darkness; Life is stronger than death; Victory is ours through Him who loves us.” - former Anglican Archbishop of South Africa, Desmond Tutu
On 26 March, the Chaplain-President, Secretary-General and Second Secretary were delighted to be present at the annual Holy Week chrism eucharist held in Holy Trinity Brussels and presided by Bishop Robert. Two dozen clergy mainly from Benelux and a good handful of lay readers attended to support the bishop in his ministry and to renew their ordination and licensing vows. "Chrism" is the Greek for "anointing", and at a chrism eucharist the bishop blesses the oils which will be used in parishes during the coming year for anointing people at their baptism, ordination and during times of sickness. Bishop Robert preached a very interesting sermon on maintaining brotherly and sisterly love in the Anglican Church at a time when Anglican Christians are divided on issues of human sexuality.
The service was followed by a delicious lunch prepared by the Community Kitchen charity at Holy Trinity Brussels, which continues to prepare 5,000 meals each week for the needy and hungry in Brussels.
Op maandag 25 maart hebben de Kapelaan-voorzitter, de Secretaris-generaal en de Twede-secretaris vergaderd met de team van Parcum in Abdij van Park, Leuven, voor een voorbereidende bijeenkomst. In het jaar van het Anglicaanse erfgoed kijken we uit naar een studiedag in oktober rond het thema materiële en immateriële erfgoed van de Anglicaanse kerk in België.
On 23 March, the Chaplain-President was delighted to represent the Central Committee at the event in La Chaufferie in Etterbeek to celebrate the six-year presidency of Prof Freddy Mortier of De Mens Nu, the Dutch-speaking representative body of Recognised Secularism. Freddy is a bioethicist of international renown, whose contributions to meetings of the Dialoograad, FIDIF and VILD (the formal interconvictional dialogues at federal and regional level) have always been useful and well-informed, even when the Central Committee has not followed Freddy's position (as in the cases of human euthanasia and Jewish and Muslim ritual animal slaughter). The celebration included a heart-warming speech by Freddy, some sublime Beethoven and an excellent lunch. Jack was able to present initial Anglican greetings to Freddy's successor at the helm of De Mens Nu, the former senior civil servant Raymonda Verdyck. We look forward to working with her.
On 19 March, the Chaplain-President, acting in his capacity as Bishop Robert's adviser for EU affairs, participated in the iftar (the meal at which Muslims break their daily fast during the month of Ramadan) hosted by the Belgian Catholic MEP Kathleen Van Brempt in the famous Mickey Mouse café in the European Parliament. A large group of Muslims and interfaith guests were present, and the Chaplain-President was among those who made speeches stressing the common commitment of the main European religions and convictions to the three basic EU principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Thank you to the Intercultural Dialogue Platform for putting together a video of the evening!
Le 19 mars, le chapelain-président avait le plaisir de représenter les anglicans de Belgique à la réunion du comité d'organisation du prochain Forum Chrétien Francophone, qui aura lieu à Liège du 28 au 31 octobre 2024. Le Forum est censé rassembler des centaines de chrétiens de toutes les traditions pour plusieurs jours de prière et de communion amicale. Le comité fut reçu à l'évêché de Liège par Mgr Jean-Pierre Delville. La réunion était suivie d'un délicieux déjeuner.
On 15 March, the Chaplain-President attended the systematic theology and the study of religions research group at KU Leuven, where he is one of the researchers: Research Centres and Groups - Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies. During the session, he spoke about his recent trip to DR Congo and the possibilities for further research on the Church and decolonisation which this trip revealed.
On Monday 11 of March, the Secretary-General and the Second Secretary took part in a Climate Fresk - a hands-on workshop that encourages participants to think about the causes and effects of climate change. The goal of the interactive activities is to help individuals around the world understand the systemic nature of the challenges our planet faces and to have an open and positive conversation about climate solutions.
The Fresk was held at Holy Trinity Church in Brussels and was attended by clergy from across the Diocese in Europe, Local Environmental Officers from Belgian chaplaincies, and individuals who are passionate about a sustainable relationship with the planet. The workshop was organized by the Caring for Creation Task Force (of which the Secretary-General is a member) and the activities were led by trained facilitators from the Climate Fresk movement.
Climate change is an important topic to Anglicans in Belgium. As part of the wider Anglican Communion, the Central Committee, the Diocese in Europe and the Episcopal Church adhere to the Five Marks of Mission, including, “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth”. Taking part in this Climate Fresk was an excellent opportunity to be reminded of the importance of this goal and to think creatively about ways in which each of us can act.
Are you interested in booking a Climate Fresk for your chaplaincy? Find a Belgian facilitator (French, Flemish or English-speaking) here!
On 11 March, the Chaplain-President, in his capacity as Bishop Robert's adviser for EU affairs, participated in an Article 17 Dialogue on the EU's potential enlargement to extend its membership from 27 to up to 37 member states. A presentation by Thomas Hagleitner of the European Commission was followed by a lively question-and-answer session.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash
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.
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.
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.
