ACO TEAM: EPISCOPAL MINISTRY TEAM
Equipping and connecting bishops for global ministry
The ACO is dedicated to fostering friendship and fellowship within the global community of Anglican bishops. From this relational foundation, the ACO provides opportunities for meeting, mentoring and ongoing leadership development.
Through ongoing conversation and collaboration, bishops around the world can strengthen one another in mission, and engage with the challenges facing the world today.
The Rt Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells
Bishop for Episcopal Ministry, Deputy Secretary General
The ACO fosters a global community for Anglican bishops, to provide peer support, development, and resources to nurture their formation and leadership.
Strengthening Leadership
Episcopal Ministry: Formation, Connection and Support
The ACO is committed to building partnership between bishops across the Communion. Through regular meetings and events, both online and in-person, the ACO offers opportunities for bishops to gather for learning and for discussion on topical issues. Bishops’ spouses, too, are invited to study and share together.
Bishops taking part can share ideas and approaches to ministry. Through collaboration with global partners and the provision of quality resources, the ACO’s focus on capacity development equips bishops to lead with wisdom and resilience in their diverse contexts.
Bishops in Conversation
The ACO offers regular opportunities for bishops to connect online on topics in church and world affairs. Sessions are designed to be responsive to topics and matters of mutual interest.
Bishops’ Short Courses
At key moments in the year the ACO offers short courses for bishops, usually involving 3 weekly sessions for a small online group, led by an expert in their field.
Bishops’ Resources
There are a wide range of resources to aid bishops in their ministry, including Bible Study material, theological papers, articles, films and webinar recordings.
Supporting Bishops’ Spouses
In many parts of the Anglican Communion, bishops’ spouses play a vital role in the ministry of their church. The ACO provides different opportunities for spouses to connect, study and provide mutual support.
Supporting bishops around the world in their ministry.
Kari Loureiro
Episcopal Ministry TEAM
Capacity Development
Support for new bishops
Part of the ACO’s work in episcopal ministry is to provide onboarding support for new bishops, in the first three years of their ministry. The aim is to facilitate connections and ensure every new bishop is sustained through peer connection and global fellowship.
Gatherings and induction
The ACO support various induction programmes for new bishops. Annually, one is hosted by Canterbury Cathedral. Others are delivered regionally in collaboration with partners, such as the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA). Participants develop their ministry, understand Anglican tradition and build relationships.
Buddies and peer support
The ACO encourages new bishops to ‘buddy up’ with a fellow new bishop in another Member church. Just as Jesus sent out disciples two-by-two, this ‘buddy’ system enables new bishops to share experiences. Together, they can exchange advice, support each other in ministry, leadership, prayer and their work for the common good.
Companion Links
New bishops are also encouraged to be part of Companion Links between dioceses and parishes across the global Anglican Communion. These partnerships provide vital opportunities for prayer support, mission and exchange programmes, resource sharing, and fellowship.
Building on The Lambeth Conference
Once a decade, The Lambeth Conference gathers Anglican bishops from around the world for prayer, fellowship and dialogue. Following the last Lambeth Conference in 2022, the ‘Lambeth Calls’ were released, on a wide range of topics in church and world affairs. As one of the ‘Instruments’ of the Anglican Communion, the ACO is committed to sustaining the work of the Lambeth Conference and the community of bishops it serves.
Equipping the communion
From peace and reconciliation, Christian Unity, the environment and more, the ACO has since delivered over 10 webinars – each focused on a specific Lambeth Call. Open to the entire communion, these webinars help Anglicans consider what adopting the Lambeth Calls might mean for their setting.
Adding your voice to the Call
Each Call explores a major priority in mission and ministry – and aims to deepen faithfulness to God, advance the ministry of the Communion and enable wider and wiser participation in mission by churches and communities around the world.
Latest News:
Explore recent stories highlighting how Anglican bishops connect globally for fellowship and leadership development.
- Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield addresses the bishops of the Anglican Communion Science Commission17 Dec 2025
- Episcopal Church of Brazil celebrates 135th anniversary and 40 years of women's' ordination2 Jun 2025
- Faith Leaders Gather in Brazil to Advocate for Climate Justice Ahead of COP3020 Mar 2025
- Anglican Communion Safe Church Capacity Building Conference will be hosted in Bulawayo2 Sep 2024
- Bishop Jo Bailey Wells meets Pope Francis to discuss the role of women in the Church8 Feb 2024
- Historic meeting of Africa’s Anglican women bishops held in Kenya6 Feb 2024
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