I was pleased to be invited to Riga to co-consecrate the new archbishop of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Worldwide, Karlis Zols. As well as being a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Church is a member of the Porvoo Communion. My presence as a co-consecrator gave tangible and sacramental expression to the relationship of full communion that exists with the Church of England.

As the name suggests, the ‘Worldwide’ in the Church’s name reflects its ministry to diaspora Latvians living in many countries from across the world, often as part of families that fled Latvia after the Second World War. The consecration was therefore a thoroughly international occasion, giving many ‘overseas’ Latvians the chance to visit and reconnect with their homeland. 

The consecration took place the day after the funeral of Pope Francis, so I wasn’t able to spend time in Riga with our own congregation as I had originally planned. Nonetheless, the event gave me opportunity to meet up with the last three chaplains of St. Saviour’s: Eliza Zikmane (left), Bishop Jana Jeruma-Grinberga (right) and Juris Calitis (inside right). 

Archbishop Carlis will have a demanding ministry holding together widely dispersed communities and we pray for strength and wisdom in his new role.    

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