Senior members of the Roman Catholic and Methodist churches have been invited to join the College of Westminster Abbey.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, has appointed Mgr Mark Langham, until recently Administrator of the Westminster Cathedral, and the Reverend Martin Turner, Superintendent Minister of Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, to the senior advisory body of one of the most famous Anglican churches in the world.
Members of the College of Westminster Abbey meet at least twice a year to offer an independent perspective on the day-to-day management of the Abbey by its Dean and Chapter. The College, which is chaired by the Dean, includes in its membership senior honorary officers, including the High Steward Lord Hurd, High Bailiff Sir Roy Strong and the Lord Mayor of Westminster, representatives of the Schools within the Abbey precincts and Abbey senior staff and advisers.
This is the first time that representatives of other Christian denominations have been invited to join the College.
Dr Hall said: "I greatly value the friendship developing with the Administrator of Westminster Cathedral and the Superintendent Minister of Methodist Central Hall, with whose churches we at Westminster Abbey are partners in the Gospel.
"This move will further embed our collaboration in the Lord’s vineyard and be an effective sign of the “dialogue of life” which promotes the reconciliation of all Christians."
Mgr Mark Langham joined Westminster Cathedral staff in 1990, first as Precentor from 1991 to 1993 and then as Sub-Administrator from 1993 to 1996. He became Parish Priest of St Mary of the Angels in Bayswater in 1996 where he stayed until 2001. He was then appointed Administrator of Westminster Cathedral.
