[Christ Episcopal Church] The archbishop of Canterbury yesterday awarded the Very Rev. Canon Patrick Pervez Augustine the Cross of St Augustine.  The Cross of St. Augustine was presented to Augustine during a worship service at Christ Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Diocese of Eau Claire.

The archbishop wrote in a personal letter to Canon Augustine: “It would give me great pleasure to honour you in this way by presenting you with the Cross of St. Augustine.  Sadly I am not able to do this personally but I have asked Bishop Ed Leidel to make the presentation on my behalf.”

The Cross of St Augustine was founded by Archbishop Michael Ramsey. It was first awarded by him on 19 February 1965. It is a circular medallion bearing a replica of the 8th Century Cross of Canterbury and on the reverse side is an engraving of the chair of St Augustine at Canterbury. The ribbon is of “Canterbury Blue” and it is worn around the neck by clergy and on the left breast by lay people.

This award has historically been awarded to clergy and lay people of foreign churches who have contributed conspicuously to advancing friendly relations with the churches of the Anglican Communion. More recently it has also been given for outstanding service within the Church of England whether centrally or in the dioceses, or the Anglican Communion as a whole, and to those who have contributed to advancing relations between the various Christian communions and churches.

The citation from Williams is available here.