Centre for Anglican Studies
Rationale
The Centre for Anglican Studies is a research centre in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies.
Its purpose is to focus and resource work on the history, theology, and contexts of both the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, guided by the spirit of openness and rational inquiry that has always informed this tradition.
Origins
The Centre has its intellectual origin in the Mission and Foundation of Michael Ramsey's vision of a centre for theological education in Canterbury, Christ Church College, established in 1962.
That Foundation calls for an understanding of theological inquiry based upon a commitment to the three principles of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, and finds its contemporary expression through the progressive and inclusive Mission of today's University.
"Origins" in this sense therefore has a double meaning: both a specific institutional home close to the Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, and a thoughtful commitment to the values of a generous yet questioning understanding of what it is to be a Christian in today's world.
Current Work
The Centre is presently hosting projects in several key areas:
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An historical and theological inquiry into the theory and practice of theological education in Higher Education, directed by Dr Ralph Norman;
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An annual conference link with Trinity Institute, New York, directed by Reverend Dr Jeremy Law.
Training Programmes
The Centre is also home to a wide range of training programmes, managed in collaboration with local dioceses of the Church of England:
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BA/PG Dip/MA in Ordained Ministry (Canterbury & Rochester);
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BA/PG Dip/MA in Ministerial Theology (Southwark);
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Cert HE/Dip HE in Theology (Rochester);
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BA in Ministry and Theology (Zambian Anglican Church).
Anyone interested in any of these programmes should contact either staff in the Centre, or follow the links to the websites of our collaborative partners.
Future Plans
The Centre is planning to launch a number of initiatives in the coming months, including:
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An MA in Anglican Studies;
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A day conference programme in Canterbury, including events on the life and work of Steve Biko, the development of the Prayer Book from 1549 to 1662, and the 80th anniversary of the publication of Dean Bell's Mysterium Christi;
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An historical study of the origins and geography of the parochial system in Canterbury diocese, from its inception to the present day.
Full details of these plans will appear on this website as they develop.
Contact
For information on any area of the Centre's work, please contact in the first instance Dr Ralph Norman|.