IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

Join us for a public lecture and Choral Evensong to mark the centenary of the first session of the Malines Conversations in 1921.

The Malines Conversations were a series of five church unity conversations exploring possibilities of corporate reunion between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. These discussions paved the way for subsequent ecumenical conversations between Roman Catholics and Anglicans. The first session of the Malines Conversations was supported by William Cosmo Gordon Lang, the Archbishop of York at the time.

Monday 6 December 2021 marks the centenary of the beginning of the first session of the Malines Conversations in 1921. Since the planned major Centenary Commemoration in Mechelen Belgium has been postponed, the Dean and Chapter of York, together with The Rt Hon Earl of Halifax, and the Malines Conversations Group are hosting a commemorative event in York Minster. The centenary will be marked by a lecture held in York Minster’s magnificent Chapter House and a Choral Evensong, sung by the Choir of York Minster.

4pm: Lecture

A lecture will take place at 4pm and will include a keynote address by Bishop Rowan Williams and a response by Bishop Jean Kockerols. There will be a presentation of Bishop Rowan Williams’ new book The Beginnings of Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue, written to mark the centenary of the Malines Conversations.

Free tickets must be booked in advance for this lecture to help us safely manage numbers inside the cathedral. A limited number of tickets are available via this page.

5.30pm: Choral Evensong

A Service of Choral Evensong, sung by the Songmen and Choral Scholars of York Minster, will take place at 5.30pm

All are welcome to attend and no booking is required.

These celebrations will mark the inauguration of a longer period of celebration and reflection which will culminate in the major in-person conference in Mechelen in 2023.

More information about the Malines Conversations Group can be found HERE.

The lecture and Evensong will also be livestreamed on the below stream or via our YouTube channel so you can enjoy the commemoration from the comfort of your own home.