accountability,anglican communion,catholic,chaplaincy,creation care,discipleship,ecumenical,finance,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,justice,mission,prayer,racism,safeguarding,scripture,sexual orientation,stewardship,survivors,tradition,traditional,transparency,witness

Election Address

Mr Ludovic Claude

Diocese in Europe

House of Laity

Full Election Address Text

GENERAL SYNOD 2026 · ELECTION
LUDOVIC CLAUDE
Holy Trinity Church, Geneva · Archdeaconry of Switzerland
BUILDING BRIDGES Inclusive. Globally Engaged. Locally Rooted.
STANDING FOR RE-ELECTION
ELECTED JULY 2025 · Three Synod sessions — listening, learning and contributing.
Proposer: Canon Dr Clare Amos, Archdeaconry of Switzerland · Seconder: Simon Urquhart, Netherlands, Archdeaconry NW Europe
WHY I AM STANDING AGAIN
Since you elected me in the July 2025 by-election, I have attended three sessions of General Synod — listening, learning and
contributing. At the most recent sessions in York, I asked a Synod question on how the Church can build stronger partnerships with
governments, finance and civil society to turn its commitment to creation care into practical action, and was encouraged by the positive
response from the bishop leading on climate justice. I am asking for your support — as your first or second preference — to continue
that service for a full term.
My own path — from Cameroon, through eleven formative years schooled in France — near Geneva, then a Classe Préparatoire in
Annecy and a Grande École in Paris — and on to the United Kingdom (where an MBA at Oxford followed) and Switzerland — has given
me a lived experience of crossing cultures, languages and traditions. Representation begins with relationships: I take seriously the
responsibility to know and listen to people across our Diocese, from my own chaplaincy and Swiss Archdeaconry to the wider Diocesan
community encountered through Diocesan Synod.
FAITH, PRAYER & ANGLICAN FORMATION
My service is grounded, above all, in Jesus Christ. My Christian faith was first nurtured in Cameroon by my late grandmother,
whose Catholic faith and example remain an enduring influence. In London, Gerard Hargreaves and the late Fr William Taylor
helped me find my Anglican home at St John's, Notting Hill, where I was received into the Anglican Communion in 2012; Fr
William later supported my application to the Community of St Anselm at Lambeth Palace. That faith is now lived through
worship and service at Holy Trinity Geneva.
My journey has formed an Anglican faith grounded in Christ, with Scripture as foundational, informed by Tradition and engaged
through Reason, as we seek faithfully to discern God's call in a changing world.
Yours in Christ,
LUDOVIC CLAUDE
WHAT I WILL STAND FOR
01 Diocese in Europe & Representation
Represent our dispersed, international and multilingual Diocese, and
keep Synod connected to the lived realities of our chaplaincies across
Europe.
02 An Inclusive Church
I support a Church where everyone can genuinely belong, regardless of
background, nationality, race, sex or sexual orientation. As a member of
Inclusive Church and the Anti-Racism Network, I engage graciously
across difference rather than let questions of identity become sources
of unnecessary division.
03 Mission, Younger Generations & Lay Leadership
Champion imaginative worship, discipleship and communities that
engage younger adults and those beyond traditional Sunday
attendance, while keeping prayer and spiritual formation at the centre.
04 Creation Care & Social Witness
Translate Christian stewardship into practical action. Through Aquaful
and our work towards a clean-water pilot in Accra, I see first-hand how
water security, creation care, human dignity and sustainable enterprise
intersect.
05 Safeguarding & Accountability
Support a Church that listens to survivors, learns from failure, and
embeds safeguarding, transparency and responsible governance at
every level.
06 Faithful Engagement with the Wider World
Strengthen ecumenical relationships and offer a thoughtful Christian
contribution to public life, drawing on the Diocese in Europe's unique
vocation across cultures and borders.
LUDOVIC CLAUDE · Holy Trinity Church, Geneva · Archdeaconry of Switzerland
Page 1 of 2

FROM PROMISE TO PARTICIPATION
A renewed mandate should be based not only on promises, but on service already given.
Asking a question at General Synod, York, 2026 —
on turning the Church's commitment to creation
care into practical action.

✓General Synod: Attended three sessions since my election, contributing actively to the work
and life of Synod.

✓Diocese in Europe: Participated in Diocesan Synod in Cologne, building relationships with
clergy and lay members from across our geographically dispersed Diocese — something I regard
as fundamental to representing it well.

✓Local & Archdeaconry Service: Active at Holy Trinity Geneva and within the Archdeaconry of
Switzerland, connecting local concerns with the wider life of the Diocese.

✓Younger Adults & Mission: Founded and led On the Way, creating a space for younger adults
and professionals to explore faith, fellowship and the Church's engagement with contemporary
life.
Together, this is a record of presence, not just promises — the foundation I hope to keep
building on with a full term.
WHAT I UNIQUELY BRING
FAITH & ANGLICAN FORMATION
Christ · Scripture · Tradition · Reason · St Anselm
An Anglican faith grounded in Christ, formed through Scripture,
Tradition and Reason, and deepened at the Community of St Anselm,
Lambeth Palace.
BRIDGE-BUILDER, INTERNATIONALLY ROOTED
Cameroon · France · UK · Switzerland · International Geneva
A lived understanding of belonging across cultures and borders, active
in International Geneva, including the Club Diplomatique de Genève —
seeking a Church where belonging, theological seriousness and
respectful disagreement can coexist.
MY COMMITMENT
LISTEN
Represent the breadth of our
Diocese, not simply my own
views.
ENGAGE
Participate seriously,
prayerfully and constructively
in Synod.
CONNECT
Bring the experience of our
European chaplaincies into the
national Church, and Synod
closer to our chaplaincies.
COMMUNICATE
Share key developments and
remain accessible between
Synod sessions.
SERVE
Stay grounded in Scripture,
prayer and Christ's call to love
God and neighbour.
CHRISTIAN FIRST
Above all, my service is grounded in faith in Jesus Christ. Beyond programmes, policies and institutions, I believe the Church's
credibility ultimately depends on how faithfully we live the Gospel — with courage, humility, compassion and hope.
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
JOHN 17:18
I ASK FOR YOUR FIRST — OR SECOND — PREFERENCE VOTE
P.S. Questions? Please feel free to contact me —
[email protected]
Ludovic Claude | LinkedIn
LUDOVIC CLAUDE · Holy Trinity Church, Geneva · Archdeaconry of Switzerland
Page 2 of 2

Terms used in address

accountability,anglican communion,catholic,chaplaincy,creation care,discipleship,ecumenical,finance,gospel,inclusive,inclusive church,justice,mission,prayer,racism,safeguarding,scripture,sexual orientation,stewardship,survivors,tradition,traditional,transparency,witness

Theological Tradition Terms

catholic,inclusive,inclusive church,traditional

Theological Tradition Sentences

Holy Trinity Church, Geneva · Archdeaconry of Switzerland BUILDING BRIDGES Inclusive. ------ My Christian faith was first nurtured in Cameroon by my late grandmother, whose Catholic faith and example remain an enduring influence. ------ 02 An Inclusive Church ------ As a member of Inclusive Church and the Anti-Racism Network, I engage graciously across difference rather than let questions of identity become sources of unnecessary division. ------ Champion imaginative worship, discipleship and communities that engage younger adults and those beyond traditional Sunday attendance, while keeping prayer and spiritual formation at the centre.

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Terms

sexual orientation

Sexuality, Marriage & LLF/PLF Sentences

I support a Church where everyone can genuinely belong, regardless of background, nationality, race, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding Terms

safeguarding,survivors

Safeguarding Sentences

05 Safeguarding & Accountability Support a Church that listens to survivors, learns from failure, and embeds safeguarding, transparency and responsible governance at every level.

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Terms

discipleship,gospel,mission,witness

Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth Sentences

03 Mission, Younger Generations & Lay Leadership ------ Champion imaginative worship, discipleship and communities that engage younger adults and those beyond traditional Sunday attendance, while keeping prayer and spiritual formation at the centre. ------ 04 Creation Care & Social Witness ------ ✓Younger Adults & Mission: Founded and led On the Way, creating a space for younger adults and professionals to explore faith, fellowship and the Church's engagement with contemporary life. ------ Beyond programmes, policies and institutions, I believe the Church's credibility ultimately depends on how faithfully we live the Gospel — with courage, humility, compassion and hope. “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” JOHN 17:18 I ASK FOR YOUR FIRST — OR SECOND — PREFERENCE VOTE P.S.

Doctrine & Formularies Terms

prayer,scripture,tradition

Doctrine & Formularies Sentences

FAITH, PRAYER & ANGLICAN FORMATION ------ My journey has formed an Anglican faith grounded in Christ, with Scripture as foundational, informed by Tradition and engaged through Reason, as we seek faithfully to discern God's call in a changing world. ------ Champion imaginative worship, discipleship and communities that engage younger adults and those beyond traditional Sunday attendance, while keeping prayer and spiritual formation at the centre. ------ Christ · Scripture · Tradition · Reason · St Anselm ------ An Anglican faith grounded in Christ, formed through Scripture, Tradition and Reason, and deepened at the Community of St Anselm, Lambeth Palace. ------ Stay grounded in Scripture, prayer and Christ's call to love God and neighbour.

Society, Justice & Inclusion Terms

creation care,justice,racism

Society, Justice & Inclusion Sentences

At the most recent sessions in York, I asked a Synod question on how the Church can build stronger partnerships with governments, finance and civil society to turn its commitment to creation care into practical action, and was encouraged by the positive response from the bishop leading on climate justice. ------ As a member of Inclusive Church and the Anti-Racism Network, I engage graciously across difference rather than let questions of identity become sources of unnecessary division. ------ 04 Creation Care & Social Witness ------ Through Aquaful and our work towards a clean-water pilot in Accra, I see first-hand how water security, creation care, human dignity and sustainable enterprise intersect. ------ Asking a question at General Synod, York, 2026 — on turning the Church's commitment to creation care into practical action.

Clergy Concerns Terms

Clergy Concerns Sentences

Church Structure & Policy Terms

accountability,chaplaincy,finance,stewardship,transparency

Church Structures & Policy Sentences

At the most recent sessions in York, I asked a Synod question on how the Church can build stronger partnerships with governments, finance and civil society to turn its commitment to creation care into practical action, and was encouraged by the positive response from the bishop leading on climate justice. ------ Representation begins with relationships: I take seriously the responsibility to know and listen to people across our Diocese, from my own chaplaincy and Swiss Archdeaconry to the wider Diocesan community encountered through Diocesan Synod. ------ Translate Christian stewardship into practical action. ------ 05 Safeguarding & Accountability Support a Church that listens to survivors, learns from failure, and embeds safeguarding, transparency and responsible governance at every level.

Other Churches & Other Faiths Terms

anglican communion,ecumenical

Other Churches & Other Faiths Sentences

In London, Gerard Hargreaves and the late Fr William Taylor helped me find my Anglican home at St John's, Notting Hill, where I was received into the Anglican Communion in 2012; Fr William later supported my application to the Community of St Anselm at Lambeth Palace. ------ 06 Faithful Engagement with the Wider World Strengthen ecumenical relationships and offer a thoughtful Christian contribution to public life, drawing on the Diocese in Europe's unique vocation across cultures and borders.

Youth & Next Generation Terms

Youth & Next Generation Sentences