Colonial Legacy of the Book of Common Prayer

Abstract The Book of Common Prayer originated in a specific cultural and historical context, and its structure and use reflect that context (Reformation England). Just as the book was being developed, England was also expanding into the modern era of colonialism. As the Prayer Book was brought to new churches that were created in a colonial context, or which were otherwise affected by colonial dynamics, it became a repository, symbol, and tool for colonial authority, as well as a powerful tool with which to develop a postcolonial church. This chapter defines terms, identifies cultural and political structures within the Prayer Book, and examines the colonial structures and postcolonial possibilities, with examples from several Anglican Provinces.