The Basis of the Unity in the Anglican Communion

Introduction

The Roman Catholic Church finds its unity in the Pope; the Eastern Orthodox Churches find their unity in the decisions of the seven Ecumenical Councils of the unified Church before it split into East and Western Church in AD1054 (although the division between East and West had begun well before that date).

Anglicanism is made up of 38 member Churches (provinces*) which makes up the Anglican Communion. Each of these member churches or provinces is in communion with the Canterbury diocese in England as the first diocese of the Church of England.

But the question arises, where does that communion find its unity? (We need to bear in mind that the question of unity is different from the question of authority which will be dealt with in the next post.)

First, it doesn't have a supreme Bishop or Pope like the Roman Church. Second, nor does it look to historical councils as such for its unity as does Orthodoxy. Yet, Anglicanism does have a basis for its unity.

The unity is found in four so-called 'instruments of unity': the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conferences, the Primates' Meetings and the Consultative Council.

Archbishops of Canterbury

Archbishops of Canterbury do not rule over the Anglican Communion in any way comparable to the Bishop of Rome. Power in the Anglican Communion is more widely dispersed. However, the Archbishop of Canterbury is a special focus of the unity of the worldwide Anglican Communion as it was originally the place of the missionary Augustine who came to England with the gospel, becoming the first Archbishop in AD597. The present Archbishop is seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion worldwide.

Lambeth Conferences

These conferences made up of archbishops and bishops are called every 10 years by the Archbishop of Canterbury to discuss matters facing the Communion. These have been held since 1867. 

Primates' Meetings

The Primates are the Bishops or Archbishops elected as first among equals in a province. The meetings began in 1979 and are held when conditions are such as to warrant their importance for the Church. Of recent times, Archbishop Williams has called them to discuss matters pertaining to sexuality and authority in the Church.

Anglican Consultative Council

This council first met in 1971 and was set up by the Lambeth Conference because of the need for more frequent contact among member churches. It includes bishops, clergy and laity. It meets about every three years in different parts of the world.

* The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion and is therefore a Province.