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Anglican

Anglicans form the family of Christians closely related to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst tracing their inheritance back to Christ and the earliest Christians and to the ancient Roman Catholic church, the sixteenth century Reformation was a crucial moment for Anglicanism.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Home Pobl Dewi: December 2024 Friends from afar

Friends from afar

Canon John Gravell recalls welcoming visitors from distant lands to his home.

For over four decades, Morfudd and I had the privilege of welcoming many of the Lord's workers into our home, from missionaries and 'furlough', guest speakers at conferences in the Diocese, to Christians from all parts of the globe. Each and every one has enriched our lives.

John Gravell 2

Two visitors who still remain in my memory with great affection and who came to Llandybie in September 1997 are the Reverend Aboi Atchi, a young priest from Kaduna in Nigeria, and Andrew, a youth worker at Suda Diocesan Church. He had a wife and four children, and another was born just after he returned home. We remained concerned about Andrew and his family for many years, as there were riots in Sudan, and hostility against Christians. Aboi is now Archdeacon in the Diocese of Zaria in the Kduna Province of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, and is a regular broadcaster on the Diocesan media there.

John Gravell 1

They both came to Britain to represent their church at an Anglican Youth Conference (AYC). Some of the meetings were based at Lampeter College, and people in the Dioceses in Wales were asked to accommodate the delegates.

We were very blessed to have Aboi and Andrew staying with us, the warmth of their company and the sincerity of their faith forever in my memory. They were dismayed at the directions in which Western Anglicanism was leaning, directions that have opened an abyss between Western Anglicans and the Anglican Churches of the South (the Global South). We would see the deep sadness in their hearts, upon their return from some of the sessions in Lampeter.

I saw how the luxuries of western life affected them. I remember taking them to a barbecue that had been arranged for them, and the shock on their faces when they saw the steaks, sausages and burgers being cooked on an old round saw set above a charcoal fire. The portions they both served themselves were indeed moderate, despite being urged to help themselves to more. What would have gone through their minds upon seeing such insatiable carnivores devouring the best produce of their fields!

Aboi and Andrew also had the opportunity to experience the grief of a nation, as their visit coincided with Princess Diana's tragic death. Meetings were cancelled on the day of the funeral, and they sat with us watching television in a very quiet house.

But the highlight for me was the special service at St Mark's Church, Cwm Coch on a Sunday afternoon. They both took part in the service, where four languages were heard, Welsh, English, Housa and Arabic. This was an opportunity to meet members of the Llandybie circle, and it was also a fitting farewell.

I remain grateful for their company and the memories. May their work and ministry continue, and may God bless them and their families.