Keeping the seat warm: Malines Conversations Centenary planning

While the Chaplain-President is on medical leave, the Secretary-General kept his seat warm at a planning meeting for a major conference commemorating the Centenary of the Malines Conversations which will take place 18-20 September 2025 in Mechelen/Malines. An impressive list of speakers has been assembled at the request of Archbishop Luc Terlinden to remember and learn from the dialogue that took place 100 years ago and re-set ecumenical relations between the Roman Catholic and Anglican church after centuries of animosity. In addition to bishops and academics, this conference will be of interest to anyone who cares about ecumenism and how Christians in Belgium - of every race, language and denomination - can work together for a better world.

Professionaliseringstraject Vlaamse kerkraden tussentijdsevaluatie

In 2023 begon een proefproject tussen de Vlaamse overheid, Thomas More Hoge School en de representatieve organen in Vlaanderen over een professionaliseringstraject om leden van de kerkraad beter opleiding te geven over hun rol. Af en toe komen de stakeholders samen om het project te evalueren. Op maandag 24 februari 2025 nam de secretaris-generaal deel namens de anglicaanse eredienst. Hoewel de studenten hebben veel positieve ervaring met deze opleiding, zijn er ook wat vraagtekens over de cijfers en investeringen van geld en tijd. Dit proefproject zal afgerond zijn in 2026.

Who ya gonna call? Jewish-Christian dialogue

On Thursday 20 February 2025, the Secretary-General and the Second Secretary were honoured to be present at a very special meeting of the Belgian branch of Jewish-Christian Dialogue, which welcomed the President of the International Council of Christians and Jews, Rabbi David Fox Sandmel. Rabbi Sandmel gave an emotional plea to those in attendance for the continued relevance of Jewish-Christian dialogue in the 21st Century as well as encouraging the ‘radical idea’ of trilateral dialogue with Jews, Christians & Muslims.

The meeting also welcomed a new representative on behalf of the Conference of Roman Catholic bishops, Mgr. Jean Kockerels.

A lecture was delivered by Dr. Dennis Baert on the necessity of Jewish-Christian dialogue to confront the ‘ghosts’ of St. Paul’s theology of the Law to help us move beyond binary representations of these faiths in simplistic terms such as ‘Law vs. Love’. This began with references to the film ‘Ghostbusters’ and concluded with suggests for how both Jews and Christians in the 21st Century could best respond to Paul and his theology.

The President of the Jewish Consistoire, Philippe Markiewicz, welcomed the members to the synagogue and described its historical importance in the life of Brussels and the nation of Belgium.

You can read more about this thought-provoking meeting in this article by Ms. Kelly Keasberry, a columnist for the Nederlands Dagblad.

Chaplain-President on the mend after taking a tumble

On 25 January, Jack slipped on a pavement in Leeds whilst visiting family. The unfortunate result was a destroyed left elbow, which was replaced with a titanium prosthesis by the orthopedic surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary on 30 January. Jack is following the Central Committee closely during his convalescence and rehabilitation. He thanks colleagues and friends very warmly for their prayers, best wishes and offers of help. He looks forward to returning to the work of the Central Committee as soon as the doctors permit it.

Vlaams Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog

Op 14 februari 2025 zijn de twee secretarissen van het Centraal Comité bij de vergadering van het Vlaams Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog (VILD) geweest. Eindelijk heeft België zowel een Vlaamse- en een Federale regering. Er was discussie over de nieuwe ministers van beide niveaus.

De Vlaamse overheid was goed vertegenwoordigd door meneer Mohamed Lahlali. Hij gaf toelichting over verschillende zaken, o.a. een mogelijke engagmentsverklaring over het belang van het gebruik van het Nederlands door de bedienaren van de erediest. Daarnaast was er kennismaking met de Vlaamse Vereniging van Steden en Gemeenten (VVSG). En wij hebben ook verslag gehoord van mevrouw Lindsy Desmet over de erkenning van spirituele zorgverleners.

One in Christ: 1700 years since Nicea

This year, Christians around the world are exploring the Nicene Creed and the Council that led to its development with fresh eyes as we celebrate its 1700th anniversary. On Friday 7 February 2025, the School of the Early Church Fathers, which is a cooperative project between the Roman Catholic diocese and Orthodox church in Gent, hosted an impressive Colloquium to share some of the history and spirituality leading up to the formation of the Nicene Creed and its effects that remain in the present day.

The event took place in the Byzantine Chapel at the Old Abbey in Drongen. The list of speakers featured Fr. Dominique Verbeke (Orthodox), Prof. Dr. Maria Verhoeff (ETF, protestant), Metropolitan bishop Job Getcha of Pisidië (Orthodox), Dr. Kees den Biesen (Syrian-Orthodox), Cardinal Joseph De Kesel (Roman Catholic), Prof. Dr. Peter De Mey (KU Leuven) and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (Anglican).

Music and times of prayer brought to life the thoughts and experiences of the Early Church and there was a general atmosphere of ecumenical cooperation throughout.

Interfaith Harmony Breakfast with Sant'Egidio

The Second Secretary and Secretary General were honoured to attend the Interfaith Harmony Breakfast in the place of the Chaplain President while he is on medical leave. The breakfast was hosted by Sant’Egidio, Belgium. Baron Jan De Volder welcomed all the guests warmly and gave a moving lecture about the need for hope and resilience in the midst of an ever changing social and political landscape. The guests then had the opportunity to share their thoughts and make proposal in an informal manner. It was an excellent atmophere of cooperation and harmony. The Anglican Church in Belgium is always pleased to work together with Sant’Egidio to help those who are often overlooked in our society and to strive for peace and justice in this world.

Federale regering = federale dialoog

Op maandag 3 februari 2025 heeft de anglicaanse eredienst de andere 7 erkende levensbeschouwingen verwelkomt bij Holy Trinity, Brussel voor een vergadering van FIDIF, de interlevensbeschouwelijke dialoog op het federaal niveau. Deze vergadering vond plaats in opvolging van het nieuwe regeerakkoord van de federale overheid. Natuurlijk ging de discussie rond de inhoud van het akkoord en de impact op de levensbeschouwingen. Daarnaast was er sprake van de gewenste aanwezigheid van levensbeschouwelijke aalmoezeniers en consulenten op de luchthaven in Zaventem en ook in het Belgische leger.

Genocide commemoration 2025

Historically, the Belgian government has recognised 6 genocides in the world. Each year, a commemorative ceremony takes place in the federal parliament building. On Friday 24 January 2025, the Vice-president and Secretary-General of the Central Committee were honoured to represent the Anglican churches in Belgium on this important occasion.

The Chair of the Parliament hosted the event along with the Member of Parliament who drafted the motion to create the annual commemoration, as well as the Minister of Justice, Paul Van Tigchelt. Those in attendance, including students, heard several powerful speeches about the causes of genocides, how to recognise the conditions that lead to a genocide, as well as how our society could stop the cycle of violence.

The speeches were interspersed with violin duets and the event closed with a reception. It is our hope and prayer that no additional genocides ever be added to this list in the future because humanity will seek peaceful ways to resolve its conflicts.

Theresientstadt: Their memory lives on

On Monday, 20 January 2025, while much of the world watched America, the Great Synagogue in Brussels hosted an evening of music preserving the voices of those who were imprisoned in Theresienstadt (modern day Czech Republic) and to commemorate the end of the Holocaust. The President of the Jewish Community in Belgium, Philippe Markiewicz welcomed those present. He was followed by representatives of the Austrian and Czech embassies who set the tone for the evening, imploring each of us to remember the lessons from the Second World War.  Wolfgang Holzmair brought the songs to life with his impressive operatic voice and story-telling while Olivier Godin accompanied him on piano. The Secretary-General was pleased to represent the Anglican Church in Belgium at this special occasion.

Warm discussions in Paris about Anglican training in Europe

On 18 December, the Chaplain-President and Secretary-General were delighted to spend the day at the American Cathedral in Paris to discuss with Bishop Mark, Archdeacon Walter Baer and the Revd Michael Rusk of the Episcopal Church USA ideas for collaboration between the Anglican Institute in Belgium and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe in the area of training European candidates for Anglican ministries in the EU. A specific idea was for the AIB to collaborate on the annual Summer School of the Convocation, to be held this year in the Universiteit Utrecht from 20 to 25 July 2025. Other ideas were shared and Jack and Stephen left the meeting very encouraged by the possibilities for mutual collaboration.

Christmas party at the British Embassy

On 17 December, the Chaplain-President was delighted to attend the annual Christmas party at the British Embassy, hosted this year by the new ambassador Ms Anne Sherriff. In a slight change from previous régimes, Ambassador Sherriff organised poetry readings and pantomime to entertain her guests. The soirée was an excellent occasion for Jack to connect with Embassy friends such as anti-terrorism specialist Mr Jon Mayers, as well as Anglican colleagues present, including Canon John Wilkinson of Holy Trinity Brussels and the Revd Dominic Newstead of St Paul's Tervuren.

"Les soleils de Haren" : des ateliers de peinture à la prison de Haren

Le 16 décembre à la prison de Haren, le chapelain-président avait l'immense plaisir d'assister au vernissage du projet "Les soleils de Haren", une série d'ateliers de peintures-en-cercle animés par les aumôniers anglicans, catholiques, musulmans et laïcs de la prison de Haren, y compris nos aumôniers Eric Sibomana, Grace West et Charles Kabera. Le projet s'effectuait sous les auspices de nos amis d'Emouna Belgique et de l'asbl Les Ateliers Partage, une association qui mutualise ses efforts avec Emouna Belgique depuis sept ans. Le rapport pastoral et l'évidente fraternité entre aumôniers et détenus étaient émouvants à vivre. Une excellente vidéo qui relate ce projet peut être visionnée ici

The Central Committee explains its annual budget to the Ministry of Justice

On 12 December at the Ministry of Justice in Brussels, the Chaplain-President, Secretary-General and Second Secretary attended a meeting at the Ministry of Justice to explain and justify the public funds allocated to the Central Committee, and to propose a budget for 2025, as well as to discuss the importance and impact of the new law requiring Police Clearance checks for those who have contact with children and minors. These meetings always take place in an atmosphere of cordial efficiency and mutual cooperation for the public good in Belgium.

Malines100 Steering-group

On 11 December in the Archbishop's Palace in Mechelen, the Chaplain-President, representing Lambeth Palace, Bishop Robert and the Central Committee, participated in a meeting of the steering-group which is preparing Malines100, the centenary celebrations of the famous and innovative Anglican-Roman Catholic Malines Conversations begun by Cardinal Désiré-Joseph Mercier and Lord Halifax in 1921. A major international conference organised by KU Leuven will take place in Mechelen from 18-20 September 2025, with Sunday 21 September a day of ecumenical Anglican-Catholic worship in Mechelen Cathedral. A detailed programme will be released in February.

Visite d'un doyen congolais à Leuven

Le 13 décembre à Leuven, le prof. Sylvain Badibanga, doyen de la Faculté de théologie à l'Université catholique du Congo à Kinshasa a rencontré le chapelain-président dans le cadre du projet "Rite zaïrois et authenticité mobutiste" que ce dernier dirige en collaboration avec la KU Leuven, le CARES Brussels et le nouvel Institut Anglican de Belgique Jack a hâte de se rendre en RDC en mars 2025 pour participer avec quelques-uns de ses doctorants à la célèbre Semaine théologique de Kinshasa, événement annuel lancé à l'origine par le cardinal Joseph-Albert Malula.

Halfjaarlijkse vergadering VRT/levensbeschouwelijke partners

Volgens de wet moet het Vlaamse openbare omroep twee keer in het jaar vergaderen met vertegenwoordigers van de erkende levensbeschouwingen. Op dinsdag 10 december heeft de secretaris-generaal de vergadering bijgewoond. De VRT wat toelichting gegeven over levensbeschouwelijke inhoud op o.a. radio, televisie, podcasts, VRT Max, Ketnet en Canvas. De vertegenwoordigers van de levensbeschouwingen hebben wat vragen gesteld, ideeën uitgewisseld en elkaar een goed eindjaar toegewenst.

Formation d'aumôniers de prison

Le mercredi 4 décembre 2024, l'une des sessions de formation régulières pour les aumôniers anglicans des prisons a eu lieu à Bruxelles.

La journée a commencé par une prière avec le personnel de Holy Trinity.

Eric Sibomana, le coordinateur des aumôniers de prison, a présenté une mise à jour du récent colloque sur l'accompagnement spirituel dans les prisons en Belgique.

Eric a mené une étude biblique éclairante qui a fait le lien entre le livre des Actes et le mandat d'un aumônier de prison. Tout le monde a beaucoup apprécié cette étude et la discussion a été animée.

Cette étude a été suivie d'une session de formation sur les techniques de communication animée par le directeur intérimaire de l'AIB.

Enfin, l'équipe d'aumôniers de prison a déjeuné ensemble en guise de remerciement pour cette nouvelle année de travail important et en prévision des fêtes de fin d'année.

New suffragan bishop appointed in the Diocese in Europe

On 29 November, the announcement was made by the Prime Minister of the UK that the new suffragan (assistant) bishop in the Church of England's Diocese in Europe would be Canon Andrew Norman, currently director of mission and ministry in the Diocese of Leeds. Bishop-designate Andrew will be consecrated in February 2025 and will work alongside Bishop Robert in Brussels. The Central Committee looks forward with eagerness to working with Bishop Andrew - as we do with Bishop Robert and Bishop Mark - for the public good of the citizens of Belgium by resourcing and promoting Anglican worship, ministry, mission and service in our country

Minister Crevits maakt kennis met VILD

Op 21 november 2024 heeft Vlaamse minister van het samenleven Hilde Crevits (CD&V) kennis gemaakt met de Vlaams Interlevensbeschouwelijke Dialoog. De kapelaan-president en secretaris-generaal hebben de anglicanen vertegenwoordigd.

De discussie ging rond, onder andere: 1) interlevensbeschouwelijke lesuren in het middelbaar onderwijs, 2) stand van zaken rond de erkenning van lokale geloofsgemeenschappen, 3) modernisering van het erediensten decreet, 4) officiële erkenning van spirituele zorgverleners. 

Het hoofdpunt op de agenda was een gezamelijke verklaringen tegen haat, geweld of discriminatie. Minister Crevits en de hoofden van de levensbeschouwingen hebben die getekend als signaal dat wij samen zullen werken aan een solidaire, inclusieve en verdraagzame samenleving in Vlaanderen. Met deze link vindt u de tekst van de verklaring.