The Third Anglican Global South to South Encounter issued a communiqué at the culmination of its October 25-30 meeting in Ain al Sukhna, Egypt, that outlined challenges facing the world and church, including political conflict, tribal warfare, poverty, HIV/AIDS, and the authority of Scripture.
The communiqué also offered prayers and support for the thousands of people who have suffered "from severe drought in Africa, earthquakes in South Asia, and hurricanes in the Americas."
The encounter, which met under the theme "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church: Being A Faithful Church For Such A Time As This," welcomed 103 delegates from 20 Anglican provinces in the Global South, comprising Africa, South and South East Asia, West Indies and South America.
Speaking at the meeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, said that the only ground for unity in the church 'is to be found in Christ.'
"The church is one because Jesus Christ is one; the church is holy because Jesus Christ is holy; the church is catholic because Jesus Christ is the saviour of all; the church is apostolic because as the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us," he said. "In other words, if we are to understand the nature of the church at all, we are to understand who Jesus Christ is and what he does."
The full text of Williams' address can be found online at: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/releases/051031.htm.
The communiqué from the Third Anglican Global South to South Encounter can be found online at: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/40/50/acns4061.cfm.
