Schiphol – June 25th, 2010
Today a letter of intent was signed by the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe (on photo right) the Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell and the Bishop of Haarlem, the Right Reverend Dirk Jan Schoon declaring their intent to establish a further cooperation in ministry between the Church of England, Diocese in Europe and the Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands in accordance with the Bonn Agreement of 1931.
Shared ownership of Airport Ministry
It is intended that the Bishops of the two churches will share the responsibility for the ownership and operation of the ministry of the currently named foundation Stichting Anglican Airport Ministry at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam. The name and articles of the foundation will be changed accordingly.
The Bonn Agreement
The Bonn Agreement of 1931 is a document that established full communion between the Church of England and the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, including the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands. This full communion has since been extended to all members of the Anglican Communion through the synods.
The Anglican Airport Ministry
Anglican Airport Ministry (AAM) is the sponsoring agency for Anglican participation in the chaplaincy of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports. The foundation, a registered charity in the Netherlands, is under the episcopal oversight of the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, of the Church of England.
Anglican Airport Ministry is a mission partner of Christ Church.
Website of the Anglican Airport Ministry >
Schiphol Airport Chaplaincy
On a daily basis more than one hundred thousand people pass through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. These are people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and experiencing a range of emotions. Among all these people are those who are facing concerns or problems in life, and are in need of help or an encouraging word. The airport chaplaincy, which began at Schiphol in 1975, is an essential source of support in such cases. Its purpose is to assist any individual present at Schiphol – passengers as well as airport-based employees – with a fitting response to their emotional and spiritual needs.
The chaplaincy consists of a team of three chaplains and 25 voluntary co-workers of differing backgrounds. Together they provide for a place of rest where people of all nationalities and identities are welcome. They offer pastoral and spiritual care at the heart of society.
More information on the ministry on their website (Dutch and English info) >
