Priest from Arundel & Brighton appointed to English ARC

Canon Anthony Churchill

Source: A&B

The Diocese of Arundel & Brighton has announced the appointment by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales of Canon Tony Churchill as the Catholic Co-Secretary of 'English ARC', the Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission, established by the Church of England House of Bishops and the Catholic Bishops' Conference as the official body for dialogue between the two Churches.

Canon Tony, who is the Parish Priest of St Michael's Ashtead and Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenical Affairs in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, will be part of a group of eight representatives from each church, co-chaired by the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth and Bishop Robert Byrne, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham.

English ARC works to develop the relations between the Catholic and Anglican Churches in England and Wales. It is concerned with both theology and pastoral practice. It membership is appointed by the Anglican and Catholic Bishops. The eight Catholic members are appointed by the Bishops' Conference while the Anglican members are appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

As the Catholic Co- Secretary Canon Tony also becomes a member of the Department for Dialogue and Unity of the Bishops Conference, which is headed by Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham.