Joyeuses Pâques ! - Vrolijk Pasen! - Happy Easter!

Gezamenlijke paasboodschap door de christelijke kerken van België (met dank aan Otheo)

Les Églises chrétiennes célèbreront Pâques ensemble. (merci à Cathobel)

On 11 April, the Chaplain-President had the fun and the pleasure to record an Easter message in the Archbishop's Palace in Mechelen, accompanied by the other presidents of the recognised Christian faiths in Belgium. In 2025, the Gregorian calendar used in the Western Church and the Julian calendar used in the Eastern Church coincide, meaning that all Christians are celebrating Easter on 20 April, so the Anglicans, Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals were delighted to have Mgr Athenagoras with us to speak for the Orthodox. In this spirit of the promise and joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Central Committee and its officers - Jack, Eric, Grace, Stephen and Rebecca - wish to all the new life and victory over suffering and death which Easter promises.

Alleluia!

AIB: Prison Chaplains training + Chrism Eucharist

On 16 April 2025, the Anglican Institute in Belgium offered a training course for the Anglican prison chaplains. The topic was looking at mission and evangelism in the prison setting through a post-modern perspective, focusing on relationship, conversation, listening, mutual learning and sharing stories.

The training took place at Church House at Holy Trinity, Brussels on the same day as the Diocese in Europe’s annual Chrism Eucharist. The prison chaplains and AIB joined in the service which is a reminder that every person has a ministry. This is done through prayers and vows made by: lay members of the congregation, a deacon, Licensed Lay Readers, priests, and, perhaps the highlight of the service was when a young person asked Bishop Andrew Norman to renew his vows and prayed for him. This was also the first time that many people had a chance to meet the new Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese in Europe. Also, as part of the service, oils are blessed which are used for special pastoral services.

It was particularly meaningful that the Anglican prison chaplains were able to participate in this service as part of their training day, since two of them are license Lay Readers, and the third is training to become a Deacon with the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (TEC).