Archbishop as Patron

In addition to national charities and institutions, he is involved in a wide range of interests and good causes within the Church of England, the worldwide Anglican Communion and in secular and civic life.

In this way the Archbishop is able to support public and voluntary service and to affirm the work and achievements of these organisations. A substantial proportion reflects the Archbishop's particular interest in environmental issues, in education, medical and spiritual healing, music and the links between art and religion.

An active link is maintained between the Archbishop's office and his patronage organisations. During the course of a year, the Archbishop will undertake a number of engagements directly related to this area of his work and this includes extending hospitality at Lambeth Palace, so that he has an opportunity to meet the people directly involved.

The list of the Archbishop's current patronages (as of 2006) at the present is so extensive, he will not be taking on any additional patronage roles for the foreseeable future, save in the most exceptional circumstances.

The Armed Forces

The Archbishop of Canterbury has a special link with the Armed Forces of the Crown as a result of his role as Ordinary to the Anglican Chaplains serving in the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

"Ordinary" is an ecclesiastical term entitling the holder to exercise jurisdiction in his own right, but the Archbishop's role is much wider, encompassing an overall responsibility for the pastoral and spiritual welfare of the chaplains as well as the power to grant licences to officiate within the three Services.

Day to day responsibility for this is carried out by the Bishop to the Forces (currently the Rt Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor) and a regular link is maintained between the Archbishop's office and the Archdeacons of the Army and Royal Air Force as well as the Chaplain of the Fleet.

The Archbishop endeavours to undertake at least two engagements a year connected with Her Majesty's Forces and military chaplains. He has recently (2006/2007) visited serving personnel at Royal Air Force Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and preached at Colours to Chapel at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. A visit to soldiers and airmen who have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan is planned for the near future.