10/04/2015
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, today announced the opening of nominations for the 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize.
The prize, which was founded in 2005 by Archbishop Rowan Williams, is awarded every three years to the best theological writing in the service of the Church.
In an announcement in the Church Times, the Michael Ramsey Prize's media partner, Archbishop Justin Welby said:
"It gives me great pleasure this month to open nominations for the 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize. This will be my first occasion to preside over a process which, thanks to my immediate predecessor Archbishop Rowan, has now become well-established as a prize for recognising the best theological writing in the service of the Church.
"As I do so I am deeply conscious that I am walking in the footsteps of another much-esteemed predecessor, Archbishop Michael Ramsey. At his memorial tablet in Canterbury Cathedral are inscribed the words: "The glory of God is the living man and the life of man is the vision of God." It is clear to me that the glory of God was tangible in the person of Ramsey; and that through his work a vision of God was conceived profoundly and communicated effectively.
"For myself I was first inspired by Ramsey through Chadwick’s biography while at theological college, and I have continued to be inspired by Ramsey’s writing ever since. Best known is probably his The Christian Priest Today, written in 1972 and still in print; but there are so many others to commend, not least his exposition of an Anglican method in theology, in The Anglican Spirit.
"The Michael Ramsey Prize aims to celebrate the most promising contemporary theological writing and to help more people to enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing the books that will be nominated this year and to exploring how they can help the Church in thinking more deeply, acting more wisely and witnessing more effectively to the glory of God.
"Along with a team to help with short-listing as well as a panel of judges who make the final call, I am particularly eager for books that will help the Church to grow in the areas of my three ministry priorities: of prayer and religious life, of reconciliation, and of evangelism and witness. We are especially keen for nominations from new authors, as well as books written or published in the global south.
"If you have read a book which meets these criteria, published between 2012 and 2014, I warmly encourage you to make a nomination online."