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From Biblical times until today the relationship between religion and state has been a topic of theological debate. What role should the church play in a modern state? In England and the Anglican world this question has found a variety of very different answers.
Hundreds of millions were glued to the TV screens when the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, crowned Charles III king of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Westminster Abbey. The quintessentially medieval ritual, unique among European monarchies, highlighted the special link between the Church of England and the British state.
Most people know by now that the Church of England being “Established” means that the British king is the secular head of the church, next to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the spiritual head. Less well known is the fact that this arrangement is not merely symbolically significant. It has very real consequences for the functioning of church and state in the United Kingdom (not just in England).
Did you know for instance that important resolutions of the Church of England synod need legislative approval from parliament to be valid? Or that the British Prime Minister has a real say in the selection and appointment of bishops? And that Church of England priests are in fact obliged to administer weddings, funerals etc. to all inhabitants of their parish irrespective of their religious affiliation?
Of course all this is specific to England, in other Anglican churches in other countries completely different practices and theologies have developed.
These issues and many more will be explored at the Young Forum Anglicanism 2023 in Berlin.
The presentations will be in English, but discussion and questions can be conducted in German.
Topics covered:
- A Theology of Monarchy for the 21st century
- The Practicalities of the Relationship Between the Church of England and the State
- The Case for Disestablishment of the Church of England
- Anglican Theology of Church and State in Comparison With Other European Countries incl. Germany (EKD)
- Sunday Service at Saint George’s Anglican Church (Berlin) und anschließende Begegnung mit der Gemeinde
- Bible Study
Our speakers
- Dr Jonathan Chaplin (Centre for Faith in Public Life at Wesley House, Cambridge)
- Revd Canon Prof. Dr James Hawkey (Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey)
- Revd Chris Jage-Bowler (Pfarrer der Saint George’s Anglican Church, Berlin)
- Dr Anne Richards (National Public Policy Adviser, Church of England)
- Revd Dr Patrick Roger Schnabel (Oberkirchenrat bei der Bevollmächtigten des Rates der EKD)
When: 17.-19. November 2023 (Friday 2 to 9 p.m, Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday evening is free)
Where: Berlin Parochialkirche, Klosterstraße 67, 10179 Berlin-Mitte (https://elisabeth.berlin/de/himmlische-raeume/parochialkirche)
For Whom: The seminar is mainly directed at students, young graduates and people who work in the field of ecumenism. It is open to all denominations.
Cost: (incl. Friday dinner, Saturday lunch, transport in Berlin).
- Fee incl. accommodation: € 65 (bunk room, four people) € 200 (single room)
- Fee without accommodation: € 20
- Online participation: € 20 (this will only be offered if the seminar is not full)
Registration until 31. Oktober 2023 here
Program:
Friday 17 November 2023
Venue: Parochialkirche; Klosterstraße 67, 10179 Berlin (U-Bahn Klosterstraße (U2) (1 min); S-Bahn Alexanderplatz)
14:30 Start
15:00 James Hawkey
A Theology of Monarchy for the 21st Century
16:30 Pause
17:00 „My ecumenial biography“ + presentation of research projects
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Anne Richards
The Workings of Church and State in the United Kingdom
Samstag 18 November
09:00 Morning Devotion
09:15 Jonathan Chaplin
The Church of England – The Case for Disestablishment
11:00 Bible Study
12:30 Lunch
14:30 Film: Bishop’s Gambit
15:00 Patrick Roger Schnabel
The relationship of Church and State in Comparison (Europe, EKD, CofE)
16:45 Break
17:00 Team and topics for future seminars
Sonntag 19.11.2023
10:30 Worship at Saint George’s Anglican Church Berlin (Preußenallee 17 – 19, 14052 Berlin, U-Bahn Neu-Westend (U2)
Followed by meeting with Chris Jage-Bowler and the congregation
~13:00 End
General Information on the Young Forum Anglicanism (in German) here.
More questions? Ask Kai Funkschmidt (kai.funkschmidt[at]ki-eb.de) or any of the student team preparing the event:
Sven Groeger sven_groeger [at] t-online.de
Jakob Güntter jakob.guentter [at] posteo.de
