Anthony Ball
Anthony Ball | |
|---|---|
| Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See | |
| Church | Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria Church of England |
| In office | 2025–present |
| Predecessor | Ian Ernest |
| Previous post(s) | Bishop of North Africa (2024–2025) Archdeacon of Westminster (2024–2025) Area Bishop, Diocese of Egypt (2021–2024) Canon Steward of Westminster Abbey (2016–2025) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2001 |
| Consecration | 30 November 2021 by Samy Fawzy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1968 (age 56–57) |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Spouse | Celia |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Durham University Heythrop College, University of London |
Anthony James Ball (born 1968)[1] is a Rhodesia-born British Anglican bishop and diplomat. Since February 2025, he has been director of the Anglican Centre in Rome and the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See. Previously, he was bishop of North Africa in the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Alexandria and a canon at Westminster Abbey.
Early life and career
[edit]Ball was born in Rhodesia, present-day Zimbabwe, in 1968, and was raised in southern Africa.[2] After studies at Durham University, he entered HM Diplomatic Service and held postings in Spain and the Middle East.[3][4] During his diplomatic career, Ball was ordained as an Anglican priest.[2] He also served in Anglican chaplaincies in Madrid and Damascus, where he was Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams' representative to the heads of the Orthodox churches in Syria and Lebanon.[4]
Westminster Abbey
[edit]In 2005, Ball returned to England as an adviser to Williams on Anglican Communion, ecumenical and international affairs. He was later rector of St Nicholas Church, Worth.[5] Ball joined the leadership of Westminster Abbey in September 2016 as canon steward.[6]
Over the course of the next several years, Ball also served as canon rector, rector of St. Margaret’s, almoner and sub-dean.[7] As a canon, he took part in the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of Charles III and Camilla.[8][9]
Episcopacy
[edit]On 30 November 2021, shortly after the Province of Alexandria was recognized as a new Anglian Communion province, Ball was consecrated as an assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Egypt. He held this role on a part-time basis while remaining resident at Westminster Abbey.[10] In January 2024, at a service in N'Djamena, Ball was installed as the first diocesan bishop of North Africa—which covers Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia—while retaining his appointments at Westminster.[2] After Tricia Hillas was appointed to the episcopacy, he succeeded her as archdeacon of Westminster.
In November 2024, Ball was announced as the next director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. The person in this position, by recent custom held by a bishop, also represents the Archbishop of Canterbury in ecumenical relations with the Vatican.[4] After a transition period, he succeeded Ian Ernest in the role in February 2025.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Ball is married to Celia and they have one child.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Anthony James Ball". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "FAPA NEWSLETTER – Easter 2024" (PDF). Friends of the Anglican Province of Alexandria. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Canon of Westminister Abbey: Anthony James Ball". Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Michael, Mark (12 November 2024). "N. African Bishop to Direct Anglican Centre in Rome". The Living Church. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ Martin, Francis (15 November 2024). "Anthony Ball to lead the Anglican Centre in Rome". Chuch Times. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "The Reverend Anthony Ball installed as a Canon of Westminster". Westminster Abbey. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Anglican Centre in Rome announces new Director". Anglican Communion News Service. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Queen Elizabeth's funeral: Order of service at Westminster Abbey". BBC. 19 September 2022.
- ^ "Coronation Order of Service" (PDF). Royal.uk. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Westminster Canon to assist in Egypt". Church Times. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
- ^ "Archbishop Ian Ernest reflects on his time at the Anglican Centre in Rome". Anglican Communion News Service. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.