Malines Conversations commemorated at Wells Cathedral

The centenary of the Malines Conversations, which began an ongoing dialogue between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, was commemorated at Choral Evensong in Wells Cathedral on June 19.

Over 200 people attended Evensong, which was followed by a public lecture in the Nave by Bishop Rowan Williams, Lord Williams of Oystermouth, entitled ‘A Blind Date? The beginnings of Anglican/Roman Catholic dialogue 1921-1925’. Lord Williams has written a book about the Malines Conversations, ‘The Malines Conversations: The Beginnings of Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue’. (add link for book?)

The Malines Conversations were five conversations that took place in Belgium between British Anglicans and European Roman Catholics between 1921 and 1927, and they considered the potential of corporate unity of the two churches. Dr J Armitage Robison, Dean of Wells from 1911 to 1933, was a key player in the original Malines Conversations. Dean Robinson was also a close friend of Sir Edward Elgar, so it was most appropriate that the Organ Postlude played at Evensong was composed by Elgar!

The event was organised in partnership with Churches Together in Somerset. The conversations continue today between an international group of Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians. Go to the Malines Conversations website to find out more.