MIDDLE EAST: Iran installs Azad Marshall as new Anglican bishop
Episcopal News Service. August 6, 2007 [080607-03]
Matthew Davies
Bishop Azad Marshall from Pakistan was officially installed as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Iran during an August 5 service at St. Paul's Church in Tehran, a turning point for interfaith relations in the Islamic Republic.
More than two hundred people attended the three-hour service, which was marked by singing in Farsi and English by the House of Worship and Messiah Worship Choir and orchestra, according to the Anglican Communion News Service. The congregation included Anglicans, members of the Assemblies of God, Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and Muslims. The service was also attended by a senior official from the office of the President who spoke afterwards of the respect and freedom given to all religious minorities.
Among those attending the installation were Jerusalem Bishop Suheil Dawani; President Bishop Mouneer Anis of Jerusalem and the Middle East; Church of England Bishops Michael Nazir Ali of Rochester and Paul Butler of Southampton; Retired Jerusalem Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal; and Archbishop John Chew, Primate of South East Asia.
According to reports, Marshall said "Iran's leaders want to open a new chapter with the Anglican Church, nearly 30 years after the Islamic revolution."
Following the 1979 revolution, the Iranian government seized the Anglican diocese's schools, churches and hospitals.
Marshall has served as Episcopal vicar for the Diocese of Iran since 2005.
"Many countries in the Middle East are places where religions and civilizations came together. They speak now of a clash of civilizations. By the grace of God we want to return back to the origin with the civilizations of this region where civilizations came together for a better world and humanity," said Anis, under whose jurisdiction the Iranian diocese falls.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, also sent greetings. "The task of building relationships with government and religious leaders is an important element in the ministry to which you are called and we look forward to working with you in promoting deeper mutual understanding," he said.
In a letter addressed to Marshall and Anis, the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, said: "Today the Anglican Communion rejoices that a new ministry begins with and for the pilgrim people of Iran."
Kearon noted that the world's attention is daily drawn to the Middle East by the media and by reports from organizations and communities "concerned about God's people in places like Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Qatar, the Gulf and beyond."
"It is clear to me, as I travel around the Communion, of the genuine support and concern people have for the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East," he said. "Our prayers and pledges of support for the work of Bishop Azad and the small but important Anglican presence in this historic country come to you on the happy occasion with much affection and thanksgiving."