The first ever distinguished fellowship of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC) was presented to the Reverend Dr Jeremy Law, Dean of Chapel and Chaplain of Canterbury Christ Church University at the Dearing Lecture on 12^th November.  In presenting the award, the chair of the Europe chapter of CUAC, the Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln and Chair CUAC (Europe), commented that it was a huge honour for the United Kingdom to have the first fellowship offered to such a deserving individual in one of the leading Anglican institutions in the country.

In a letter from the General Secretary of CUAC, the Reverend Canon James Callaway, DD from New York praised Jeremy for his unique role in forming the next generation of students.  He stated that the Trustees were delighted to offer this fellowship in recognizing Jeremy’s charisms.

Over the last 21 years Jeremy has made an outstanding contribution to the work of University Chaplaincy and to theological scholarship.

The former Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Martin Wharton, another of the international Trustees of CUAC said: “It is relatively unusual, these days, for someone to live out their priesthood in the world of the University, but this is what Jeremy's vocation has required of him. His ability to combine this with his scholarship is remarkable. He is a generous and gracious colleague with a passionate commitment to the best kind of University Education that Anglican Universities can provide. This is why we all delight in the recognition that he has been given by the International Board of CUAC.”

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church Universitysaid “I am delighted that Jeremy’s contribution is being recognised in this way. Through his focus on the wellbeing of staff and students Jeremy has demonstrated the vital contribution Chaplaincies make to modern universities”.

Jeremy has vociferously supported the work of CUAC, over the years; this international body, which connects many  Anglican Universities and Colleges from all over the world, has benefitted from his active support and connections with the Church of England Colleges and Universities; not least Canterbury Christ Church University. He has been an influential member of the organising committee for International Conferences’, and has been instrumental at bringing coherence to the conference themes, securing notable speakers, designing the process and organising the worship.

In addition, Jeremy organised the first CUAC conference for Anglican University Chaplains. Jeremy’s calm assurance, his quiet, self-effacing manner and the customary courtesy he displays at all times ensured that the chaplains’ conference was a highly creative experience which generated new opportunities for developments in Chaplaincy across the Anglican Communion.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion (CUAC) is a world-wide network of Anglican colleges and universities which exists for the mutual flourishing of its members through engaging with each other, their society, and their churches, as they seek to enable their students and faculties to become active and responsive citizens in God’s world. This global association comprises over 131 institutions of higher education on six continents that were founded by and retain ties to a branch of the Anglican Communion.  Along with its predecessor, the Association of Episcopal Colleges (AEC), comprised of colleges with ties to The Episcopal Church, CUAC is committed to promoting cross-cultural contacts and educational programs.
2. Jeremy Law was made deacon in 1987 and ordained priest the following year, serving curacies in parishes in Salisbury and Oxford, where he was also awarded his DPhil. He was appointed Chaplain and Lecturer at Exeter University in 1994 and took up his present post as Dean of Chapel at Canterbury Christ Church University in 2003.

[From left to right: Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, Reverend Dr Jeremy Law, Dean of Chapel and Chaplain of Canterbury Christ Church University, Reverend Canon Professor Peter Neil, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University and Chair of CUAC (Europe).]