The Cross of St Augustine is an award of merit in the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is awarded to members of the Anglican Communion who have made significant contributions to the life of the worldwide Communion, or to a particular autonomous church within Anglicanism. It is also awarded to members of other traditions who have made a conspicuous contribution to ecumenism. It is the second highest international award for service within Anglicanism.
History
The Award was created in 1965 by Archbishop Michael Ramsey. There is no limit on the number of recipients, although the Cross is said to be awarded to "a small number of clergy and lay people each year". 2008 is an example of a year in which the number of awards was larger, with 13 Crosses awarded at a standard presentation ceremony and a further 8 awarded at a special presentation for key organisers of the 2008 Lambeth Conference.
Grades of award
There are three grades of the Cross of St Augustine - bronze, silver, and gold. In almost all cases, unless stated otherwise, the silver award is made. A small number of bronze awards have been made for conspicuous service to Anglicanism; a very small number of gold awards have been made for outstanding service.
Medal
The medal awarded to recipients bears an engraving of the Chair of St Augustine on its reverse. This stone chair in Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury in his role as head of the Anglican Communion. Archbishops of Canterbury are enthroned twice: firstly as diocesan ordinary (and Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of England) in the archbishop's throne, by the Archdeacon of Canterbury; and secondly as leader of the worldwide church in the Chair of St Augustine by the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral which is followed by a blessing by the senior (by length of service) archbishop of the Anglican Communion. The stone chair is therefore of symbolic significance throughout Anglicanism. The obverse of the medal shows the Canterbury Cross. Medals are worn on a blue ribbon either around the neck (by clergy) as a collarette, or on the left breast (by laity).
Precedence
The Cross of St Augustine is the second highest award within Anglicanism. The highest award granted by Lambeth Palace is the Archbishop of Canterbury's Award for Outstanding Service to the Anglican Communion, which is awarded exceedingly rarely, and is the highest award within the Anglican Communion.
These Lambeth Awards were expanded in March 2016 by Archbishop Justin Welby, by the addition of the six new awards based upon his ministry priority areas. The full suite of non-academic awards now complements the academic awards available through the Lambeth degrees.
List of recipients
1981
Herbert J. Ryan S.J.
2001
24 September 2001
Judith Gillespie, former executive for world missions at the Episcopal Church Center and grants officer at Trinity Church Wall Street, for "contribution to the global outreach of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion"
2004
On 8 November 2004, Archbishop Rowan Williams awarded the following with the Cross: The Rt Revd Kenneth Barham Linda Borthwick The Revd Canon Bruce Duncan Gerre Hancock Virginia Johnstone Robert Kidd Professor Ann Lambton The Rt Revd Alan Morgan Jenny Ottewell Captain Philip Slater The Reverend Canon Robert Warren
2005
The Cross of Augustine was to be awarded to 13 recipients in this year: Dr. Mary Catterall The Revd Preb John Gaskell The Revd Dr. Anthony Gelston The Revd Canon Bill Hall Professor Jacques Heyman Father Aidan Mayoss CR The Revd Barry Nichols Mr. David Power The Revd Nicolas Stacey The Revd Michael Stevens Mr. Gordon Thorne Mr. David Vermont Mr. David Williams
2006
Eight recipients: The Revd Gethin Abraham-Williams The Revd Donald Brewin Miss Margaret Doak Mr David and Mrs Hazel Gedge The Revd Dr. Paul Gibson Dr. Bernard Knowles Miss Catherine Widdicombe
2008
13 recipients: Mr Kenneth Beard The Rt Revd Michael Bourke The Revd Canon Dr William Broughton The Revd Canon Wilfrid Browning Miss Gillian Dare The Hon Jill Ganzoni The Revd Andrew Henderson Mr Vijay Menon The Most Revd Ellison Pogo KBE Mrs Judith Scott Mrs Sheila Tolson The Revd Canon Robert Whyte Mrs Maggi Whyte