[ACNS, by Rachel Farmer] A former Anglican Communion staff member has been appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s new Adviser for Reconciliation.

Canon Dr Flora Winfield will lead the Archbishop’s reconciliation work which is a core aspect of his ministry. Dr Winfield had worked in Geneva as the Anglican Communion Permanent Representative to the UN for a number of years, before becoming the Archbishop’s Special Representative to the Commonwealth last year.

Welcoming the appointment Archbishop Justin said: “I am delighted that Flora will be bringing her extensive skills and experience to bear in this key role. She has served the Church of England and the Anglican Communion with wisdom, dedication and creativity for many years. It is wonderful news that she will be leading the reconciliation ministry here at Lambeth Palace.

“Reconciliation is not an optional extra for Christians – it is the heart of the Gospel and the way of Jesus Christ. In our world today, finding ways to disagree creatively and constructively is essential if we are to address challenges from climate change and political division, to armed conflict and global inequality."

Dr Winfield said: “In the present challenging global environment, we have a real opportunity to make a difference. In partnership with other churches and faiths, and with our exceptional reach into every community, we are called to live out Christ’s reconciling love, drawing together the global and the local. This task of reconciliation is also about recognising the interconnectedness of the challenges which face us all, and resourcing the local church to respond with confidence and hope. I am both honoured and excited to have this opportunity to serve as the Archbishop’s Advisor for Reconciliation.”

Flora will oversee various reconciliation-based programmes that Archbishop Justin has established since taking office in 2013.

These include: ‘Women on the Front Line’, which focusses on the specific contribution of women as peacebuilders in places of conflict and ‘The Difference’ course, which is soon to be piloted in churches around the country and aims to equip Christians to become reconcilers in their communities.

Before working with the Anglican Communion, Flora served as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Secretary for Anglican Relations, the Secretary for International Affairs at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and as Assistant Secretary General of Religions for Peace. She was ordained to the diaconate in 1989, and to the priesthood in 1994.