Archbishop Justin Welby has presented Brother Christopher John SSF with a Lambeth Award in recognition of his lifetime of outstanding service through the Society of St Francis and with religious communities across the Anglican Communion. 

Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon has known Chris as a Franciscan Friar for around 35 years, and is delighted that the Anglican Communion has affirmed him and the service he has offered through his vocation.

“Through all the seasons of his vocation, the heart wood of Chris’s calling has been the same: the sisterhood and brotherhood of all humankind, the priority of God’s peace and justice, and the freedom of the ways of the Holy Spirit.” 

“These are the principles of the life of St Francis of course, worked out in simplicity, community and humility. In particular, I give thanks for Christopher’s commitment to eco theology in word and deed.”

Brother Chris was very surprised to hear he had been nominated for the award,

 “I can think of many others who are equally or more deserving of recognition, so I want to acknowledge so many of my colleagues and my brothers and sisters in religious life,” he said.

Brother Chris took the opportunity to highlight the value of religious communities in the life of the Communion.  

“I believe that religious life has a special place in the Anglican church, partly inside the institution, but also on the edge.”

“I pray for people to continue to come forward to test their vocations to live in community, to pray, and to share in ministry and hospitality.”  

Brother Christopher John SSF, who hails from Nelson and for many years ministered across Aotearoa New Zealand, has promoted religious life in the Anglican Church for the forty years he has been part of the Franciscan First Order.

Since 2017 Brother Chris has served as Minister General of the Anglican Franciscan First Order across the Communion.

Based at the Hermitage at Stroud in Australia, Br Christopher John has pastoral oversight of the brothers of the Society of Saint Francis in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the UK and the USA. 

Over the last six years as Franciscan Minister General, he has made pastoral visits to the Franciscan brothers throughout the Communion, listening to their needs and hopes and making them known to each other and the wider church.

In recent years Brother Chris has led Anglican religious to serve in chaplaincy teams at Communion-wide gatherings, including to the 17^th Anglican Consultative Council and the 2022 Lambeth Conference.

He is currently working on plans to set up an Anglican Communion Network for religious orders.

In 2016 Brother Chris completed a Doctorate in Peace and Conflict Studies from Otago University, based on his primary research into Franciscan peace-making in conflict-riven communities during Sri Lanka’s 26-year long civil war.

As part of his lifelong formation in religious life, Br. Chris has also completed a Masters in Franciscan Studies with Distinction.

Chris reports that everywhere he visits Franciscans are living and working as salt and light in their communities, and their contribution often makes a big difference.

As part of his role of oversight, Br Chris also communicates the grassroots experience of Anglican Franciscans to organisations that are highly effective in mobilising change such as Franciscans International, an accredited NGO that raises indigenous and minority voices at the UN.

“As Franciscans we are international, but locally situated. Our voices and local knowledge can be added to those who raise concerns in critical matters, such as climate change, human rights and development.”

Br Christopher John has spent significant time in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea since becoming Minister General and loves the challenge of working in the Pacific where church life is vibrant and there are many vocations to the religious life, but capacity and resources can seem limited.

Christopher John’s previous international roles were Minister Provincial for the Province of the Divine Compassion (Asia-Pacific region) for five years, before which he served as General Secretary of the Anglican Franciscans for twelve years.

Back in 1994 Br Chris helped to found the Korean Franciscan Brotherhood in South Korea and lived for several years as guardian of the Korean Franciscan friary in Incheon and then in Gangchon northeast of Seoul in Gangwon-do. He is a fluent Korean speaker. 

Earlier in his ministry Brother Chris made significant contributions to education and training for non-stipendiary clergy in Aotearoa New Zealand, and as part of the Franciscan community in Auckland worked in mission and educational programmes which were influential in sharing the treasures of Franciscan spirituality across the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year Brother Christopher John SSF joins Ven Dr Hirini Kaa and 31 other recipients of the Archbishop for Canterbury’s 2023 Lambeth Awards for outstanding work for the Anglican Communion.