The Porvoo Communion
The Porvoo Communion is a fellowship of 15 Anglican and Lutheran churches in Europe, brought together through a shared commitment to unity and mission. It was formally established in 1992 by the signing of the Porvoo Common Statement, a theological agreement that affirms full communion between the churches who adopted it.
Out of the nine member churches of the CLC, most are part of the Porvoo Communion, apart from the German Synod. However, the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) has signed the Meissen Agreement with the Church of England, which commits both churches to a journey toward greater unity and closer fellowship.
Porvoo in practice means that both Lutherans and Anglicans are welcome in each other’s churches – to attend services, receive communion, and take part in occasional services such as baptisms, confirmations, and weddings. They should be able to participate fully in the life of the church, just as they would in their home church.
Ordination is mutually recognised across member churches, and ministers are not ‘re-ordained’ when serving in another Porvoo church. Nevertheless, ministers are expected to meet the relevant qualifications and additional training may be required, for example in safeguarding or to meet the educational standards of the host church. There is also a shared commitment to invite bishops from each other’s churches to participate in the consecration of bishops, and to take part in the laying on of hands.
In the UK context, many clergy from CLC’s member churches have Permission to Officiate (PTO) in the Church of England, or are licensed to posts within it, often ministering in both churches.
The Communion is named after the Finnish city of Porvoo, where a concluding joint Eucharist was celebrated following the final round of theological discussions in Järvenpää – a town whose name was, allegedly, considered too difficult to pronounce for an international agreement.