December 2, 2002

The Bishops of the Church of Ireland, Episcopal Church of Scotland and the Church in Wales, meeting in conference at Llandudno, released a strong message of support for Archbishop Rowan, as he prepares to leave his present ministry as Archbishop of Wales and take up a new ministry as Archbishop of Canterbury. The statement in full says:

"As Bishops of the Church of Ireland, the Episcopal Church of Scotland and the Church in Wales meeting in Llandudno we wish to offer our prayerful good wishes to our colleague and friend Archbishop Rowan Williams as he prepares for his enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury.

"In the Celtic Churches we have long valued his spirituality, integrity, leadership, scholarship and humility. We pray that those gifts will be enhanced by the spirit of God as he undertakes the leadership of the Church of England and the Anglican communion. We express our confidence in the leadership of our international family which we believe he will offer as we remember his fellowship with great affection."

Anglican Communion News Service