THE ANGLICAN CHURCH

The Anglican Church is part of a world-wide communion churches or some 70 million people.

The largest churches are in Africa and in the former British colonies such as Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia.

The Anglican Church is part of the Western church, and separated from the Roman Catholic Church on the question of authority and governance in the 16th century. The chief bishop is the Archbishop of Canterbury, and in Australia the Archbishop of Perth, Archbishop Peter Carnley, has the title Primate.

The Church is divided into Dioceses, each of which is headed by a Bishop or Archbishop, and governed by a Synod, a meeting of clergy and lay people.

The Church is committed to ecumenical co-operation, and to membership of the National Council Churches of Australia.

The chief worship service of the Anglican Church is the Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper or the Mass, and entry into the church is through baptism, infant or adult.

The Bible has a supreme role in the life of the church and its people.

The Anglican Church is committed to social responsibility through Anglicare, the largest of Australia's welfare agencies, and AngliCORD, the overseas development arm of the Church.

For further information please follow these links to the Anglican Church and AngliCORD:

Anglican Church: www.melbourne.anglican.com.au

AngliCORD: www.anglicord.org.au