Anglican professors at KU Leuven speak to English students

On 15 June, Professor Hector Patmore and the Chaplain-President (who are both Anglican priests) spoke to students at Ripon College Cuddesdon, one of the largest seminaries in the Church of England (Welcome to Cuddesdon | Ripon College Cuddesdon (rcc.ac.uk) ), about their experiences as professors in the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven (Faculteit Theologie en Religiewetenschappen (kuleuven.be) ). The session was recorded so that other students unable to be present might also explore the idea of doctoral study in Leuven.

Diocesan Synod of the Diocese in Europe 2022

For the first time since 2019 (because of the coronavirus pandemic), the diocesan synod of the Diocese in Europe met at the Kardinal-Schultehaus in Cologne in the first week of June (Diocesan Synod - Diocese in Europe (anglican.org) ). The Chaplain-President was present as the diocese's Living in Love and Faith advocate (Living in Love and Faith | The Church of England ). During synod, Bishop Robert commissioned the Revd Dr Catriona Laing (priest-in-charge of St Martha and St Mary Leuven) as assistant dean of women's ministry in the diocese, alongside Canon Debbie Flach (chaplain of Christchurch Lille) as dean of women's ministry (Diocese appoints Dean and Assistant Dean of Women's Ministry - Latest News (anglican.org) ). The synod was a very happy time of friendship and community after the privations and sufferings of the pandemic.

Sant'Egidio eucharistieviering in Antwerpen

Op 1 mei had de Kapelaan-Voorzitter van het Centraal Comité van de Anglicaanse Eredienst de eer om in de kathedraal van Antwerpen de mis van de katholieke weldadigheid Sant'Egidio bij te wonen, opgedragen door kardinaal Jozef De Kesel (Home - Sant' Egidio (www.santegidio.be)). Op onze foto ziet u eerwaade Ann Babb (Antwerpen) en metropoliet Athenagoras van België, die ook bij de viering aanwezig was.

New Second Secretary on the Central Committee

The Central Committee is extremely grateful to Minister Van Quickenborne for granting a stipend for a Second Secretary to help the Chaplain-President and the Secretary in the exercise of their responsibilities towards the Belgian public authorities as well as towards the Anglican canonical authorities and Belgian Anglicans in general. On 3 May, M. Charles Melebeck began work in this role. We wish him a warm welcome!

Diocesan Synod discusses human sexuality

On 4 May, the Chaplain-President spoke at a special meeting of the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese in Europe (Diocesan Synod - Diocese in Europe (anglican.org)) to discuss the Church of England's report on identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage: Living in Love and Faith (2020): Living in Love and Faith | The Church of England ). The General Synod of the Church of England will debate this report later in 2022.

Couloirs humanitaires/Humanitaire corridors

On 5 May, the Chaplain-President attended a meeting of the Humanitarian Corridors Task Force hosted by Sant'Egidio Belgium (Couloirs humanitaires : Sant’Egidio dresse un premier bilan - Sant' Egidio (santegidio.be) ). In 2019, Humanitarian Corridors Belgium, supported by the Recognised Convictions, brought 150 Syrian refugees, both Christians and Muslims, into safety in Belgium. The Anglican parish in Gent hosted one family. Despite the ongoing refugee crisis for Ukrainians, Humanitarian Corridors hopes to bring 250 Syrian refugees to safety in Belgium during 2022-2023.

Colloque "Neutralité, religion, enterprise" à l'UCLouvain

Les 5 et 6 mai, le Chapelain-Président et M. Eric Sibomana ont participé au colloque international « Neutralité, religion, entreprise », animé par Louis-Léon Christians et Léopold Vanbellingen à l'UCLouvain (Institut de recherche Religions, Spiritualités, Cultures, Sociétés | UCLouvain ). Ce fut l’occasion de riches échanges sur la place de l'appartenance religieuse des salariés au sein de l'Etat neutre.

Meeting with the Bishops' Conference in Belgium

On 12 May, Bishop Robert and the Chaplain-President were honoured to be invited, along with the presidents of the Orthodox, Protestant and Evangelical Churches in Belgium, to a special meeting of the Conférence des Evêques de Belgique/Bischoppenconferentie van België at the Archbishop's Palace in Malines/Mechelen. They discussed Pope Francis' plans for a Synod of Catholic Bishops to meet in 2023 to discuss the Church and synodality. The meeting was followed by a delightful supper.

Meeting with Government of Brussels Capital Region about Ukrainian refugees

On 28th April, the Chaplain-President participated in a Zoom meeting of the presidents of the recognised life stances with M. Pierre Verbeeren (the coordinator for Ukraine) and his team from the Brussels Regional Government, to discuss practical options for helping the 20,000 Ukrainian refugees expected to be in Brussels soon, to find meals, housing, education and integration into Belgian society, as well as pastoral and spiritual support.

The website for information for the region is Home page | BPS-BPV (helpukraine.brussels) (set to your language).

Interconvictional ceremony for Belgian military veterans at the Great Synagogue

On 6th April, the Chaplain-President represented the Anglican Church at an interconvictional ceremony led by the military chaplains and counsellors of Belgium, held at the Great Synagogue in Brussels. Among several speeches and testimonies, Lt-Gen Pierre Neirinckx gave the principal address. The spectacular and moving music was provided by the choir of the Great Synagogue.