Three Churches - Part Two: Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, Kent

It ain't no Vatican, but...

As I stepped through the great gatehouse and saw the towers of the cathedral before me, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, my eyes welled with tears, and I found myself unable to speak. I called home and tried to share with my wife and son what was in front of me, but I could barely say, "I'm home."

Home - the spiritual home, the center of our Anglican Communion - Canterbury Cathedral. To be honest, it's not the most impressive cathedral in England. I haven't seen them all, but certainly Salisbury Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, St. Paul's in London are all more impressive, more visually stunning. But in this church was the seat of St. Augustine of Canterbury, the chair in which many an archbishop had sat, had looked out upon the faithful in his care, looked back upon the history of faith and evangelism that brought him to that place, and maybe even looked forward in hopeful anticipation that all that he would do and say would help bring people closer to God and to Christ.

I was especially touched that during the course of the few hours visit, at the top of each hour, a cleric called all within the cathedral to a moment of silence, and then to prayers for the Christian church. At times, additional intercessions and petitions were made. Surprisingly, everyone stopped. The cathedral became quiet and still. Regardless of faith or journey, for a brief moment, all were at prayer.

It was more than just a token moment of silence. It was an affirmation that this was a holy place, a sacred precinct, in which centuries of faithful pilgrims had come and offered thanksgiving, intercession, petition, praise to our Creator. And regardless of how each person in Canterbury Cathedral understood it, each paused for a moment and made an affirmation that there was a greater power, a greater good, a God, to whom belonged glory, honor, and blessing.

The politics of our communion may be tested during these progressive lurches at the beginning of the 21st century - and there may well be members of the Anglican Communion who look upon me as an apostate for my social views. But regardless of where we stand on any issue, for at least a moment each hour, we stand together, in silent prayer, to our God, to his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and to our inspiring Advocate, the Holy Spirit.

Praise God in his Holy Temple!