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.
The Archbishop of Malines-Brussels visits KU Leuven
On 23 October, the Chaplain-President had the great pleasure to attend a question-and-answer session led by Mgr Luc Terlinden, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies KU Leuven, where Jack is an associate professor. The session was followed by lunch in the faculty library. Notable in the Faculty of Theology are the number of students from the Global South (proportionately more than in any other faculty in the university). Both the Catholic and Anglican Churches are very proud of the Faculty of Theology at KU Leuven, which currently ranks as the 6th best religious studies faculty in the world.
Meeting at the Ministry of Defence
On 22 October, the Chaplain-President and the Vice-President were pleased to attend at meeting of the Service d'assistance religieuse et morale (SARM) of the Belgian Ministry of Defence at the Club Prince Albert in Brussels, for an update on the future of military chaplaincy in Belgium in a changing context of political and military tensions in Europe.
Erfgoedvorming: PARCUM en anglicaanse kerken in Vlaanderen
Op 19 oktober 2024 vond er een vormingsevenement plaats rond erfgoed bij de parochie van St. Boniface anglicaanse kerk te Antwerpen. De dag was een resultaat van samenwerking met PARCUM, het Centraal Comité, het Anglicaans Instituut van België en EVADOC.
Er waren deelnemers van 5 verschillende parochies in Vlaanderen en Brussels, oecumenische vertegenwoordigers en erfgoed experten van Nederland.
Jan Klinckaert gaf een lezing over het belang van erfgoed. Aaldert Prins van EVADOC en KADOC gaf wat toelichting over archieven. Ten slotte, vertelde Julie Aerts over immaterieel erfgoed en hoe verhalen erfgoed ook kunnen zijn.
Dank aan alle deelnemers, de vrijwilligers van St. Bonifacekerk en verschillende partners voor een zeer geslaagde dag.
Licensing of the Revd Sarah-Jane King as Anglican chaplain in Leuven
On 6 October, the Chaplain-President, Secretary-General and Second Secretary were delighted to attend the licensing of our friend and colleague Sarah-Jane King as the new priest-in-charge of St Martha and St Mary Leuven. The Anglican parish in Leuven currently uses two Catholic buildings for worship, the chapel of Justus-Lipsiuscollege and the chapel of Amerikaanscollege, and this service took place in the American College chapel. A packed congregation, including many ecumenical friends from the Catholic and Evangelical Churches, watched the Venerable Sam van Leer, archdeacon of Benelux, license Sarah-Jane on behalf of Bishop Robert. A fine lunch of samosas, cake and coffee followed. Welcome to the team of Anglican incumbents in Belgium, Sarah-Jane!
The Central Committee at the Archdeaconry of Benelux Annual Synod
From 3 to 5 October, the Chaplain-President, Vice-President, Secretary-General and Second Secretary were pleased to attend the annual synod of the archdeaconry of Benelux of the Diocese in Europe, a gathering for prayer, worship, study and discussion by 37 Anglican clergy and 48 Anglican laity who work in Benelux parishes and ministries. The synod has met for the past decade in the beautiful Oude Abdij Drongen near Gent. The synod reminds the Chaplain-President of the European Parliament in the sense that the business tends to take place in English, with French and Dutch being spoken in the wings and at meals! On a busy synod agenda were in-depth discussions of ageing and of youth in the Church, as well as sessions on safeguarding, care for creation and racial justice. Bishop Robert flew in to join the synod from Washington DC, where he had been co-chairing a meeting of the global Anglican-Roman Catholic conversations, IARCCUM. At a meeting on the final day, the Central Committee was able to present a video outlining our work and to speak in particular about the new Anglican Institute in Belgium.
Meeting the new General Secretary of the CEC
On 2 October, the Chaplain-President, in his capacity as Bishop Robert's adviser for EU affairs (and who is also vice-moderator of the General Assembly of the CEC), met the new General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches, Pastor Frank-Dieter Fischbach, at his office next to the European Commission in Brussels. They had a warm and long discussion on various pressing issues which face the Anglican Churches in the EU as well as the Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Old Catholic Churches represented by the CEC.
Visit of Pope Francis to Belgium #1
On 27 September, the Chaplain-President was thrilled to represent the Anglicans of Belgium and Bishop Robert at a reception held by the King for those in public life in Belgium at the Palais de Laeken in honour of Pope Francis' visit to Belgium from 27 to 29 September. The King, the Prime Minister and the Pope all made insightful and interesting speeches about the significance of the papal visit, with particular accents on the desperate need for peace in Ukraine and in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon, and on the ongoing scandal and shame of clerical sexual abuse occurring in the Church. The frankness and candour of the speeches was both remarkable and helpful. The speeches were preceded by breakfast and followed by a reception at which the chefs de culte were able to catch up, share news and discuss relevant topics with others in public life.
Ichtus Vlaanderen: Hoop
Op 21 september 2024 heeft de secretaris-generaal lezing gedaan voor jonge leiders van Ichtus Vlaanderen die kwamen samen voor een weekend opleiding in Wommelgem. Ichtus is aanwezig bij verschillende universiteiten van Vlaanderen om studenten te steunen en een veilige plaats bieden om hun vragen over het christelijke geloof te stellen. Hun jaarthema is ‘Hoop’ en de titel van de lezing was: ‘Waarom de toekomst van de kerk beter is dan haar geschiedenis’ met nadruk op 5 belangrijke karakteristieken van Gen Z (1997-2012). Bedankt aan de organisatie.
Durven denken
De opening van het academische jaar is al van start bij de Universiteit van Gent waar de secretaris-generaal de ceremonie heeft bijgewoond namens het Centraal Comité. De burgemeester van Gent sprak over de universiteit als het kloppende hart van de stad. Er waren toespraken van een aantal studenten. Twee daarvan studeren op het UGent campus in Vietnam wat bijzonder is en bracht een internationale blik op deze gelegenheid. De lezing van rector Rik Van De Walle ging over een aantal moeilijke onderwerpen zoals conflict in Palestina, polarisatie in ons land en de lerarentekort in het onderwijs. Natuurlijk na de ceremonie kunnen de studenten hun feest beginnen te bouwen. Wij wensen alle studenten, professoren en medewerkers van de Belgische hoge scholen en universiteiten een veilig, vreedzaam en vreugdevol jaar toe.
Welcoming the new British ambassador to Belgium
On 9 September, the Chaplain-President was delighted to represent the Anglicans of Belgium to welcome the new British ambassador to Belgium, Ms Anne Sherriff. The wonderful contemporary music during the soirée was provided by the band of the Grenadier Guards, who were founded in Bruges in 1656. The Grenadier Guards have notably fought for Belgian liberty on Belgian soil in the Napoleonic Wars and in the Two World Wars, underlining the enduring friendship which exists between Belgium and Britain. Guests from Anglican parishes of Holy Trinity Brussels, St Paul's Tervuren and St John's Gent were also present. The soirée was a fine occasion to renew friendships and to offer the services and wisdom of Belgian Anglicans to the new ambassador as she begins her role.
Bon vent à Eric Ghysselinckx #2
Le Comité central a déjà dit son "au revoir et bonne chance" à M. Eric Ghysselinckx, ancien chef du service des cultes et des convictions au SPF Justice, à l'occasion de son départ à la retraite (voir notre blog du 26 octobre 2023). Le 9 juillet, le chapelain-président a eu le plaisir d'assister à la célébration parallèle organisée par le Consistoire Israélite de Belgique à la Grande-Synagogue de Bruxelles, présidée par maître Philippe Markiewicz et le baron Julien Klener. M. Ghysselinckx a été honoré de la médaille du Consistoire Israélite en signe de son soutien constant et de son amitié depuis 40 ans. La célébration a été suivie d'un high tea.
Anglican prison chaplain training
On 3 July, the entire Anglican prison chaplaincy team met at Holy Trinity Brussels for a training-day organised by the new Anglicaans Instituut België/Institut Anglican de Belgique, which now has the obligation to organise training for our prison chaplains. Our team of Egbert van Groesen, Grace West, Charles Kabera and coordinator Eric Sibomana were joined for the first time by two new volunteer recruits, Charles and Balthazar. Morning Prayer and Bible study was followed by sessions on the legal aspects of prison chaplaincy and reflections from the experienced chaplains on the rationale of prison ministry and how Anglican prison chaplains may be of service to the entire prison community. The day ended with Holy Communion in church and lunch provided by Holy Trinity's Community Kitchen.
Discussions with the Filipino Anglican community in Belgium
On 2 July, further to our blog of 19 June below, the Chaplain-President, Secretary-General and Second Secretary were delighted to invite the Revd June Mark Yanez of St Boniface Antwerp, along with several members of the Filipino community in Belgium, for coffee at Holy Trinity Brussels, in order to discuss the possibilities and opportunities for securing a permanent pastoral ministry to Filipino Anglicans in Belgium, alongside our existing parishes.
Thanks, Blessings & Bon Voyage
The Revd. Sunny Hallanan became the Rector of All Saints, Waterloo in 2011. Since then, she has been actively involved in the life and ministry of that parish, the Anglican Church in Belgium, and as part of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (The Episcopal Church USA). Sunny has represented the Anglicans at the Belgian national ecumenical committee (OCKB/CECB) as well as many other official roles. At the same time, Sunny has worked hands-on to help refugees and the marginalised in our society. On Sunday 30 June 2024, the Secretary-General was honoured to receive a blessing from Sunny before she retires this summer and returns to the USA. The Central Committee wants to thank Sunny for all her faithful service and we wish her many blessings in her retirement.
Discussion on prisons with the British Embassy
On 24 June, the Chaplain-President was delighted to have lunch at the British Embassy in Brussels with diplomats specialising in prison policy, to share knowledge and to map out ways in which British citizens who find themselves incarcerated in Belgium can obtain the best level of consular, pastoral and other support. Jack was grateful for the discussion as well as for the excellent gourmet lunch.
Interlevensbeschouwelijk overleg VRT
Twee keer in het jaar komen de erkende levensbeschouwingen in Vlaanderen samen bij de VRT. Op dinsdag 18 juni 2024 heeft de secretaris-generaal de anglicaanse eredienst vertegenwoordigd bij deze halfjaarlijkse vergadering. De VRT heeft iedereen warm verwelkomd en wat toelichting gegeven over interlevensbeschouwelijke inhoud op radio, televisie en digitale media.
Afscheidsfeest voorzitter Collin PARCUM
Het was een feestelijke sfeer bij PARCUM in Leuven op 13 juni 2024 ten ere van de voormalige voorzitter, EH kanunnik Ludo Collin die zijn rol na veel jaren heeft neergelegd. Meer dan twintig jaar geleden is voorzitter Collin begonnen met het oprichten van CRKC vzw om een organisatie te hebben die zorgt voor religieuze kunst, cultuur, erfgoed en patrimonium. Ondertussen is CRKC vzw PARCUM geworden. Naast het expertise centrum in Vlaanderen voor roerend, onroerend en immaterieel erfgoed, heeft PARCUM ook een depot van materiaal voor geloofsgemeenschappen en een museum in het Abdij van Park die schittert met tentoonstellingen vanuit de diverse collectie. De kapelaan-voorzitter en secretaris-generaal hebben de receptie bij gewoond en feliciteren kanunnik Collin voor al zijn jaren in deze sector. Zij wensen hem veel zegeningen en wel verdiende rust in de toekomst.
Area Deans Forum
On 5-6 June 2024, the Secretary-General attended the Area Deans Forum for the Diocese in Europe in Brussels. The meeting was led by Bishop Robert Innes, including times of prayer, sharing of results from a survey on clergy wellbeing and a training on effective team communication by Paul Vrolijk from Christilience.