No Pomp, no Pope and yet Circumstance - The Anglican Centre in Rome

No Pomp - Tuesday I finally got the chance to visit the Anglican Centre in Rome. After a 30 minute journey from the Beda to the city centre, Google Maps pointed me to an excellent example of what looked like an 18th-century Italian building. I looked for visible indications that could confirm I was at the right place, perhaps a church facade, an ostensive banner or even a flag with the compass rose on a blue background, but I found nothing of the sort. Hesitantly I walked towards a metal gate that led to what seemed a parking area where some Vespas were hiding from the inclemency of the Roman Sun. Before I ventured to ask the doorman where the centre was, I heard a familiar accent, and from the corner of my eye, I spotted two British women in a hurry to get into the building. I immediately followed them and closed the gate behind. '-They must be attending the 12:45 Eucharist at the centre', I thought. '-I'd better follow them.' Then on the main entrance door, as they were keying in an access code, I put on some confidence, and I said, '-I assume you're going to the Anglican Centre, right?' '-Yes, we are', they replied. I never felt more relieved to find two brits, as I was not sure if a local would be able to help me.

As I reached the top floor, I finally saw clear signage indicating I had reached my destination. After ringing the doorbell, I was warmly greeted by Chiara and led to the St Augustine of Canterbury's chapel where the Eucharist was about to begin. As soon as I entered the chapel, someone immediately handed me over the liturgy and a hymn book. 'Yes, that's right!', I said to myself. 'This is what we Anglicans do.' I took a seat and blended in with the twenty congregants with song and prayer.

My lips were uttering holy words, but my mind was still wondering outside the chapel and thinking why does not the centre look like more an embassy, or why does it occupy only one floor instead of a whole building. Then I understood my judgment had been affected by Rome's grandiosity and stylish way of life. There is no pomp in this Anglican enclave; there is no pretentiousness nor ostentation; just a small group of dedicated Christians trying to do their best to support anglophones and to build bridges between Rome and Canterbury.

No Pope but an Archbishop - The Eucharist was presided by a tall, good-looking African man on his late fifties. Perhaps he was older, but I didn't dare to ask his age. I knew Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi had recently been appointed Director of the Anglican Centre and the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Holy See. I also knew that Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi and Pope Francis are close friends and that their relationship started long before Cardinal Bergoglio was elected as Roman Pontiff. The Anglican Communion could not nominate anyone better, able to hold both familiarity and rank together.

Over the informal lunch to which all attendants were invited to be part of, I was able to exchange some words with the Most Reverend Ntahoturi. He spontaneously approached me, and we introduced to each other. Our conversation naturally revolved around conflicts and reconciliation processes in several African countries when he understood I had been to Rwanda. As someone born in Burundi, a country that has Rwanda as one of its neighbours and which is experiencing uncertainty, the archbishop was interested to gather my impression from my visit to the country.

Circumstance - Many church parishes in England would be over the moon if their Sunday attendance were around 20 people, even much more during a mid-week service. In Rome, Anglicans find in the Centre a sense of community in a city that can be challenging in terms of language, culture and religion. So, once a week, if unable to attend the dominical Eucharist in one of the two Anglican churches in Rome, people can recharge their spiritual batteries, socialise, eat together, engage in conversations in their native language and exchange impressions. What else is better than hearing the Gospel in your language, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ in a familial context, and share a hug?

It became evident to me that the Centre is not investing solely in Roman-Anglican dialogue. The preacher at the Eucharist and co-celebrant was Revd. Dr Tim Macquiban, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office, who delivered a lovely sermon around the life of St Francis of Assisi. Over the lunch, I could en passant overhear the conversation between Rev. Tim and Archbishop Bernard about practical cooperation between the two centres. As I looked at them, I wondered not if the two Churches will ever be united but rather when will this unity be fully seen. The Spirit whispered: '-Soon, very soon.'

With Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi and Revd. Tim Macquiban

To know more about the Anglican Centre in Rome, click here.

To know more about the Methodist Ecumenical Office, click here.