Church of Ireland group visits Anglican Centre in Rome

Wednesday October 11th 2023

With Archbishop Ian Ernest at Anglican Centre, Rome, are, from left: The Rev Canon Gerald McCartney, the Rev Alan Cross, Mrs May Boyd, the Rev Canon Robert Boyd, Mrs Roberta McCartney, Mrs Roberta Armstrong, Archbishop Ernest, the Very Rev John Bond, Mr Ken Armstrong and Mrs Joyce Bond.

Former Dean of Connor, the Very Rev John Bond, and his wife Joyce were among a group of Church of Ireland clergy and friends who recently visited the Anglican Centre in Rome.

John said they were warmly received by Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s personal representative to the Holy See, and his wife Kamla. Archbishop Ian, who had recently been to Dublin, spoke with great affection of his valued connection with the Church of Ireland.

Mrs Roberta McCartney, Mrs Kamla Ernest, Mrs Joyce Bond and Mrs May Boyd at the Anglican Centre, Rome. (Photo Roberta Armstrong)

In his address to the group, the Archbishop shared his faith journey, his Christian family background and the work of the Anglican Centre. He commented that when he was Archbishop of the Indian Ocean and Bishop of Mauritius, the Church would have been ‘a corpse’ without the women and the work and involvement of the Mothers’ Union.

Mrs Kamla Ernest, a former President of MU in Mauritius, shared some of her experiences, especially with prison work.

The Rev Dr Chris Broddle and Dean John Bond thanked the Archbishop for his welcome and for sharing so much of his life story and ministry with the group, saying it was encouraging to hear of the strong and warm relationship between the Anglican Church and the Vatican.

Along with John and Joyce, the group included the Rev Dr Chris Broddle, the Rev Canon Robert and Mrs May Boyd, the Rev Alan Cross, the Rev Canon Gerald and Mrs Roberta McCartney, and Mr Ken and Mrs Roberta Armstrong.

John said: “It was an enjoyable and informative visit and much appreciated by the group and concluded with prayers and blessing by the Archbishop in the Chapel.”