A fruitful partnership between ECLAS and the Anglican Communion

Adapted from a report given by Revd Dr Muthuraj Swamy to the Anglican Consultative Council in Belfast, Friday 3 July 2026

In April 2025, a new global partnership between Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) and the Anglican Communion Office was established to support science engagement across the Anglican Communion.

My role, as ECLAS Theological Facilitator and Researcher within the Anglican Communion Office, is to explore how ECLAS research, resources, and programmes can strengthen the work of the Anglican Communion Science Commission. A key part of this involves working closely with the Provincial Lead Bishops for Science and Faith, about 30 of them currently, supporting them as they develop this ministry in their own contexts.

Our approach is not to promote a single top-down model of science engagement across the Communion. Rather, it is to listen, to learn from the diversity of our provinces, to understand their particular contexts and needs, and to build on the excellent work that is already taking place in dioceses and provinces around the world.

I am delighted to report that I have so far been able to make one-to-one contact, and have conversations, with seventeen Provincial Lead Bishops. These conversations have been immensely encouraging and have given us valuable insights into both the opportunities and the challenges facing Christian engagement with science across the Communion.

Some of the themes which have emerged in our conversations include the opportunities and ethical challenges presented by artificial intelligence; the importance of engaging respectfully with Indigenous knowledge alongside Christian faith; the enthusiasm and leadership of young people in science and faith related activities; the urgent impact of environmental change, especially on the poorest and most vulnerable communities; and a range of health-related concerns. Many bishops, particularly from economically disadvantaged provinces, have also highlighted the limited resources available to support this important work. Learning these context-specific opportunities and challenges have been very helpful, and we continue to work to build these conversations further.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Anglican Consultative Council for its support of this partnership, and to ECLAS for its commitment to and collaboration in strengthening Christian engagement with science across the Anglican Communion. As science and technology continue to shape every aspect of human life, the Anglican Communion has a unique opportunity to offer a faithful, thoughtful, and compassionate Christian witness. I hope this partnership can continue to strengthen our provinces, equip Christian leaders to engage confidently with the scientific questions of our time, and ensure that our shared wisdom and diverse experiences become a gift both to the Communion and to our wider world.