Three honoured by Archbishop of Canterbury

Three Anglicans who have served in the Diocese of Toronto are among the recipients of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2021 Lambeth Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the Church and wider society.

Dr. John Bowen, professor emeritus of Evangelism and the retired director of the Institute of Evangelism at Wycliffe College, Archbishop Colin Johnson, the retired Bishop of Toronto, and the Rev. Canon Dr. Isaac Kawuki-Mukasa of the Anglican Church of Canada were honoured by Archbishop Justin Welby in early April, along with 34 others from across the Communion.

Dr. Bowen received The Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness “for his attractive articulation of the love of God for all people, with a particular heart for those who have not yet heard the name of Jesus, and for his mentoring and discipling of Christian leaders.”

Archbishop Johnson received The Cross of St. Augustine “for extraordinary efforts and leadership in sustaining communion through initiating ongoing dialogue amongst bishops across the Anglican Communion – especially Canada, Africa, the U.K. and the U.S.A. – following Lambeth 2008 through to 2020.”

Canon Kawuki-Mukasa received The Cross of St Augustine “for extraordinary efforts and leadership in sustaining communion through initiating ongoing dialogue amongst bishops across the Anglican Communion – especially Canada, Africa, the U.K. and the U.S.A. – following Lambeth 2008 through to 2020.”

Archbishop Welby said: “During the pandemic, we have seen just how vital the contribution of churches is to the fabric of our society. As well as finding creative ways to worship together safely, churches have been feeding the hungry, reaching out to the lonely and offering hope to those struggling in the midst of the crisis.

“This year’s Lambeth Awards recipients, not all of whom are Christians, embody this spirit of service – not just during the pandemic but, for many of them, through decades of faithful work. I commend them and their efforts and look forward to the time when we meet to celebrate their contributions to society.”

Bishop Andrew Asbil, the current Bishop of Toronto, said he was delighted by news. “The Church both here and across the Communion has benefitted enormously from their contributions and I am so thankful for their work over many years.”