03.07.2026
Church of Ireland Hosts Anglicans from Around the World for ACC–19
One hundred and forty members of the Anglican Consultative Council from 38 provinces around the globe have converged in Belfast this week. Hosted by the Church of Ireland, ACC–19 has gathered members and visitors for worship, prayer, conversation and fellowship on the theme ‘Called To One Hope’.
The opening service took place on Sunday June 28 in St Anne’s Cathedral where the celebrant was the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell. Delegates have been meeting in the Presbyterian Assembly Buildings and their discussions continue until July 4.
The ACC meets every three years the last time they met in Ireland was in Dublin in 1973.
In her Presidential Address, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, in her first visit to the Church of Ireland, said:
“The theme that gathers us – Called To One Hope – is a challenging one, and rightly so. It’s an invitation, despite our differences and disagreements, to trust the God who has called us together, and therefore to hope in the future he is preparing for us”.
The ACC also heard opening addresses from the Chair of the ACC, Canon Maggie Swinson, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Secretary General, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Revd Dr Hosam Naoum.
During the week members have been considering a wide range of topics. They have heard from IASCUFO (the Inter–Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order) on the Nairobi–Cairo Proposals. A bold new proposal called ‘Vision36’ to plant or restore a million churches across the Anglican Communion has been presented.
The Anglican Communion’s Safe Church Commission presented a report calling for ongoing commitment to safeguarding and building a culture of safe church across the Communion. They also considered environmental issues and heard from member churches, including the Church of Ireland. Archdeacon Andrew Orr, Bishop–elect of Cork, Cloyne and Ross described deforestation and pollution of water sources in Ireland. As part of a Global Conversation on Refugees and Migrants, ACC members reflected on displacement, solidarity, welcome, justice and how churches can respond to those forced to leave their homes.
On Wednesday (July 1) more than 100 Anglicans with ecumenical guests from around the world, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, went on a pilgrimage to Derry/Londonderry. The pilgrimage was organised by the Right Revd Andrew Forster, Bishop of the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, with members of the local church and community. Through prayer, reflection and encounters with the city’s history, the ACC–19 pilgrims explored the church’s ministry in the midst of sectarian conflict and Northern Ireland’s peace process.
You can watch a video about the visit to Derry/Londonderry here:
Renowned Christian author CS Lewis’s Belfast home and parish welcomed Anglican’s from all over the world yesterday evening (Thursday July 2). Seventy members and guests at ACC–19 set out for East Belfast to explore the birth place of the Narnia author.
The first stop was St Mark’s Church, Dundela, where he was baptised and confirmed. The Old Rectory at St Mark’s is one of the few remaining buildings with a direct link to Clive Staples (Jack) Lewis. St Mark’s was his home parish, his grandfather was the first Rector. He returned there many times later in life, not least to mark his journey back to faith and memorialise his parents in the stained–glass Lewis window in the church.
After a brief introduction by the Rector, Canon Dr Helene Steed, delegates were delighted to see the replica of the door knob on the rectory, an intricate lion’s head, which is said to have inspired CS Lewis. Many also climbed the 45 steep steps to the bell tower to ring the famous St Mark’s bells under the watchful eye of Tower Ringing Master, Don McLean.
Then members enjoyed a visit to Little Lea, the home of CS Lewis from 1905. The house is now owned by Gina Copty, of the Church of Ireland Commission for Christian Unity and Dialogue, and her husband Chris McDowell. The house is currently undergoing extensive restoration but members were delighted to be able to explore it, right up to the attic which may also have provided inspiration to the author. A new portrait of CS Lewis, commissioned by Gina and Chris, was unveiled at the event and guests were treated to a magnificent musical interlude.
