ANGLICAN COMMUNION: Churches around the world that are in communion with each other and with the See of Canterbury, (i.e., Church of England) and that hold the same faith, order, and worship. According to the Anglican Consultative Council, the Anglican Communion is composed of 38 autonomous churches together with a small group of extra-provincial dioceses and approximately 85 million members. There are Anglican congregations or jurisdictions in more than 160 countries.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY: The Primate of All England, Metropolitan of the Province of Canterbury, "first among equals" of all Anglican bishops, and the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion. The See of Canterbury was founded in 597 with the arrival of St. Augustine, who established his first church in the town. The present Archbishop of Canterbury is the Most Rev. and Right Hon. Rowan Williams.
ASSISTING BISHOP: A previously consecrated bishop who is appointed by a diocesan bishop with the consent of the standing committee and diocesan council to provide additional episcopal services in the diocese for a specific term.
BAPTISM: One of the two sacraments ordained by Jesus Christ. (Holy Communion is the other.) Holy Baptism is the sacrament of spiritual remission and regeneration by water and the Holy Spirit. It is the rite by which persons are admitted into the fellowship of Christ and his church.
BISHOP: The third of the three orders of ordained ministry (deacon, priest, bishop). The major functions are to preside over a diocese, consecrate to the episcopate, ordain to the ministry, administer confirmation, and administer ecclesiastical discipline.
BISHOP COADJUTOR: A bishop who is elected to assist the bishop of a diocese and upon the latter's death, retirement, or resignation, succeed the diocesan bishop in office.
BISHOP SUFFRAGAN: A bishop elected to assist the bishop of a diocese but without the right of succession to the office.
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER: The title of the book of worship of the Episcopal Church. The Book of Common Prayer contains doctrine that the church requires to be taught and beli