The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, was in Rome this  week for his first official visit to the Anglican Centre and the Holy See. As part of this trip he preached at the chaplaincy of All Saints in Rome.

Archbishop Stephen Cottrell said; “Coming to Rome and meeting with sisters and brothers from within the Roman Catholic Church has been so encouraging. My prayer is that Christians of all denominations can work together more and be united in our desire to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit as we look to share the love of God as seen in Jesus with the many in our world who long for hope and meaning in their lives. 

“It is my experience that it is when we, the Church of Jesus Christ in all its manifold shapes and sizes, reach out together in mission, in service of the world and in proclamation of the gospel, that our unity is strengthened and revealed.” 

Archbishop Stephen’s visit has been organised by Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Director of the Anglican Centre and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See. The Anglican Centre is a vital link between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church, working on shared projects as well as offering opportunities for study, hospitality and encounter. 

Archbishop Ian Ernest said: “This first official visit of the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, to the Anglican Centre and to the Holy See comes as an affirmation of the longing of the Anglican Communion to diligently and constantly work for the visible unity of Christians. The personal commitment of Archbishop Stephen, in the different callings he has exercised, to encourage a collaborative spirit amongst different groups of people, in spite of cultural, denominational and religious differences, inspires and encourages us to carry forward with love the mission entrusted to the Anglican Centre in Rome.

His meeting with The Holy Father, Pope Francis has further consolidated the strong bonds of friendship between our two World Communions and we are now looking forward for further cooperation between the Dicasteries of the Vatican and the Anglican Centre in Rome as we seek to bear witness of the Love of God, together, to our broken world.”