News
HRH visits St Mellitus ordination training college
12th February 2010
The Prince of Wales has praised the efforts of those who help people search for spiritual understanding in a "fragmented world" during a visit to a church in London.
His Royal Highness, who is a practising Anglican, met staff, students, ex-offenders and voluntary workers at a Church of England training college.
The Prince took part in a discussion about forgiveness and Christianity with student priests at St Mellitus College, St Paul's Church, London.
Assistant Dean Dr Andrew Emerton said: "I think he enjoyed it and he contributed a little bit. The issue of forgiveness is one that affects us all, no matter who you are."
The Prince also met parishioners, youth workers and ex-offenders who work on projects linked to the church in Kensington, before he unveiled a plaque marking 150 years since its consecration.
He said he enjoyed meeting the students, adding: "It would seem in today's world this was unfashionable work to do but, ladies and gentlemen, you are in some way bucking the trend."
In a speech, The Prince said he was "proud and grateful" of the work being done in churches across the country.
He said: "In today's world of fragmentation and disconnection, the greatest challenge is how do you re-connect people to anything like a spiritual understanding."
Among the people who met The Prince were church volunteers from the Broadwater Farm Estate in Tottenham, north London, and former offenders who work to help other ex-prisoners.
One ex-offender called Michael told the Prince about his work in the prison ministry.
He said: "I work with people coming out of prison, people coming off drugs.
“The Prince seemed very calm and a very decent man. It's the first time I've met him but I've stayed at his mum's places a few times."