In April 1996, the Archbishop of Canterbury celebrated the fifth anniversary of his enthronement as spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. His travels, with his wife Eileen and various staff members and colleagues, have taken him around the globe to see the work, witness and worship of Anglican Christians. He has given hundred of sermons, addresses and talks, and indeed, much has been said about many things. However, as someone who has had the privilege of being on some of these pastoral visits, I can heartily say that the effectiveness of much of the visits comes from what I will call the ministry of 'presence'. I know that Canon Peterson and I will never forget the impact of the Archbishop's visit to Rwanda. When people, our fellow brother and sister Anglicans, and a host of others, know that a world religious leader cares enough to come to be with them in sorrow as well as joy it is important. Visits have included - aside from those to many dioceses in England, and visitations and teaching mission weekends in his own diocese - Rwanda, Sudan, India, Jerusalem, USA, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Spain Sweden, Russia, Armenia, Bosnia, Egypt, Italy, Norway, Finland, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Hong Kong, China, Portugal, West Indies, and more.

I have seen people cheer, bow, kiss his hand, hug him -- yes, even embrace him, in gestures of affection, respect and thanksgiving. This ministry of presence is essential to our understanding of an incarnational Christianity - a people who rejoice in the presence of Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion as we cherish the presence of Christ which we see in each other. In Anglican terminology we call the role of the successor of St Augustine "an instrument of unity" - along with the other identified instruments of unity: the Lambeth Conference; the Primates' Meeting and the ACC; and indeed the role of him we call Primus inter pares is accomplishing just that. Ours is not a papacy, and he is not simply an overseer. His office shows the world that Anglicans care and that we see the Archbishop's role as a 'shepherd', in the biblical image of Bishop.

We are fortunate that, in the person of the Most Revd George L Carey, we have someone in this ministry of 'presence' who takes his role and ministry seriously and performs the same with alacrity, humour, sensitivity and understanding. The tasks are often complex, and are ones with no easy answers. His "being alongside people" has come to mean much to many, especially as we seek to share our interdependence when respecting and honouring our diversity in so many areas, and our co-existence with other Christians and world faiths. The demands of his calendar around the world are ever increasing.

As we give thanks for his first five years, let us pledge to uphold this office in our prayers at the Eucharist, and to remember especially the preparations for the ACC meeting in Panama, of which the Archbishop is President; the Primates Meeting in 1997 in Jerusalem of which he is chairman; and as he gathers all the bishops of the Communion in Canterbury for the Lambeth Conference in 1998. The following photos capture vividly some of the work His Grace has undertaken on behalf of us all since his enthronement. May God bless his ministry and ours.