Lambeth Conference launch of the 2022 Revision of The Principles of Canon Law

July 26, 2022

In late 2020 the Centre for Law and Religion at Cardiff began an 18-month global project to revise The Principles of Canon Law common to the Churches of the Anglican Communion, working closely with the Ecclesiastical Law Society. Originally produced in response to a request from the Primates’ Meeting in 2002, the Principles were launched at the Lambeth Conference 2008. Incorporating the work of ten reading groups worldwide, a revision committee, in consultation with legal advisors from across the Provinces, have produced a revised version which will be launched on 5 August at an evening event at the Lambeth Conference. The launch reception is being sponsored by the generosity of Winckworth Sherwood LLP. (Taking place as part of the Conference, this launch is open to attending bishops and spouses only.) The Bishop of Lesotho, Dr Vicentia Kgabe, a member of the revision committee, is hosting the launch. Among those scheduled to speak at the launch are Professor Norman Doe, Director of the Centre for Law and Religion, Cardiff University and the Revd Russell Dewhurst, Communications Officer of the ELS.

Contributing a new foreword to this edition, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, describes the Principles as ‘absolutely essential’ and ‘not only for lawyers, but for all those who seek to understand the different influences on the complex ecosystem that is the Anglican Communion.’

The revised Principles have been published by the Anglican Consultative Council and are available for purchase online in hard copy here– a PDF download will be available soon: see the news page of this website from 8.30pm on 5 August. Since 2008, the Principles have been used in academic research, ecumenical dialogue, the strengthening of inter-Anglican bonds, judgments, and in the development of Anglican canon law: details of this can be found in the Preface to the new edition. The Ecclesiastical Law Society also sponsored the production of a full index to this latest edition, making it an even more useful resource for Anglican canonists.

Watch this space for a report on the launch event in the coming weeks.