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A Dame of ecumenism

Dr Mary Tanner, WCC president from Europe, was late for these central committee meetings. She had a good reason, though: an audience with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Tanner received the title of "Dame" from the queen this past Wednesday, 13 February, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. The queen shook her hand at the investiture and pinned a star and a medal on her. Tanner, a member of the Church of England, received the honour as a double citation for her work with the World Council of Churches and with the Anglican Communion. "It's not for me personally that it is such an important thing, but that the work for the WCC and the Anglican Communion is thought worth recognizing", Tanner said. "I'm aware that so many people taught me and worked with me around the ecumenical tables, from whom I've learned so much". It was Tanner's second major honour from the Crown. Ten years ago she received an Order of the British Empire, which was presented by Prince Charles. WCC moderator Rev. Dr Walter Altmann offered his congratulations for her latest honour during a plenary session, and Tanner was applauded by the central committee.

Dr Mary Tanner

Dr Mary Tanner

19 February 2008

Dr Mary Tanner, WCC president from Europe, was late for these central committee meetings. She had a good reason, though: an audience with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

Tanner received the title of "Dame" from the queen this past Wednesday, 13 February, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. The queen shook her hand at the investiture and pinned a star and a medal on her. Tanner, a member of the Church of England, received the honour as a double citation for her work with the World Council of Churches and with the Anglican Communion.

"It's not for me personally that it is such an important thing, but that the work for the WCC and the Anglican Communion is thought worth recognizing", Tanner said. "I'm aware that so many people taught me and worked with me around the ecumenical tables, from whom I've learned so much".

It was Tanner's second major honour from the Crown. Ten years ago she received an Order of the British Empire, which was presented by Prince Charles. WCC moderator Rev. Dr Walter Altmann offered his congratulations for her latest honour during a plenary session, and Tanner was applauded by the central committee.