Representatives from 29 Provinces (see below) and from the Anglican Churches in Cuba and Sri Lanka attended. A number sent regrets. In addition three Provincial Secretaries had to send last minute apologies because of visa difficulties and in one case from illness.
The Provincial Secretaries received a letter of greeting from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams. They were welcomed to Hong Kong by the Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, Archbishop Paul Kwong. The Archbishop was Provincial Secretary for Hong Kong immediately before taking up his present office and had been involved in the earlier preparations for the conference. All who attended were deeply grateful to the host Province for its generous hospitality and superb organisation.
Each representative had time to brief colleagues on their own provinces. Provincial Secretaries from different parts of the world gave presentations on the distinctive roles they play in supporting Primates and Provinces in their decision making, financial management and support and development of ministries and staff. There were presentations and discussions on the particular difficulties facing Churches in places afflicted by civil war, conflict, unrest and disease. A number also spoke of situations where Christians face unjust treatment for their faith.
[…]
Through presentations, Sunday worship in churches in the Hong Kong dioceses and visits to projects run by the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, the Provincial Secretaries learned much about the social, economic and spiritual challenges facing the Special Administrative Region ten years after reunification with China. They drew inspiration from the continuing commitment of Anglicans in Hong Kong to a range of welfare and educational programmes and the notable impact that a small Church is continuing to make to the life of the region through its commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Those who attended were nurtured in their Christian discipleship through times of worship and warm fellowship. Frank discussions both in the formal sessions and informally served to strengthen bonds of friendship among all those present. These served to reinforce the importance of continuing to seek ways of maintaining unity within the Communion at this time of strain and uncertainty. All committed themselves to pray for each other over the coming days. There was agreement that planning should be put in hand for a further meeting in the series in three years’ time.
Provinces represented: Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; Australia; Bangladesh; Brazil; Burundi; Canada; Central Africa; Central American Region; England; Episcopal Church (USA); Hong Kong; Indian Ocean; Ireland; Japan; Jerusalem and the Middle East; Kenya; Melanesia; Mexico; Myanmar; Pakistan; Philippines; Rwanda; Scotland; South India; Tanzania; Uganda; Wales; West Africa; West Indies. The Anglican Churches in Cuba and Sri Lanka were also represented. Congo, Korea and Sudan had to send last minute apologies.
For those looking to the shape of the post-October Anglican communion, consider this:
Provinces represented: Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia; Australia; Bangladesh; Brazil; Burundi; Canada; Central Africa; Central American Region; England; Episcopal Church (USA); Hong Kong; Indian Ocean; Ireland; Japan; Jerusalem and the Middle East; Kenya; Melanesia; Mexico; Myanmar; Pakistan; Philippines; Rwanda; Scotland; South India; Tanzania; Uganda; Wales; West Africa; West Indies. The Anglican Churches in Cuba and Sri Lanka were also represented. Congo, Korea and Sudan had to send last minute apologies.
The leading Global South provinces in the communion neither attended nor apologised.
James, last we checked, Central Africa (+Malango), Rwanda (AMiA, +Kolini), Kenya (+Nzimbi), West Indies (+Gomez), +Uganda (+Orombi) were among leading Global South provinces. Those provinces above along with two others on the above list — Indian Ocean (+Ernest), and West Africa (+Akrofi) — were all represented by their Primates at today’s consecrations of +Atwood and +Murdoch.
One could also include Tanzania (+Mtetemela) and Jerusalem & Middle East (+Anis) among leading Global South provinces.
I do note three Global South provinces absent from the meeting in Hong Kong: Nigeria, Southeast Asia, Southern Cone. But you can hardly say that the Global South was not represented. Not with Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and West Indies all there!
If you don’t believe me, check the Global South Anglicans blog and the list of provinces represented at the various Global South gatherings, such as those in Rwanda (2006) or Egypt (2005).
http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/primates_archbishops_for_your_info_and_prayer/
http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/kigali_communique/
* Provinces Represented:
Bangladesh**, Burundi, Central Africa, Church of South India, Congo, Indian Ocean, Jerusalem and Middle East, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines**, Rwanda, Southern Africa, South East Asia, Southern Cone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, West Indies (** Primate not present but represented)
#1 — Ah … the GS is more than ++Akinola, in fact he late in the APO game, Rwanda, the Southern Cone then Uganda & Kenya finally Nigeria late in the game. I know he is the lead hated figure but still, he is not the entire GS!
Kar,
uh, what?
(model hiccup, back on to finish my second post).
I think it’s good that so many orthodox showed up for even if it turns out to be one of Cannon Kearon dog & pony shows. It does two things 1) keeps this from being a political event before Sept 30. 2) it reminds ++Williams that there is a communion to be lost if he does not act.
—
#4 read #1’s “leading Global South provinces” because that must be all he means for most others were present. The GS is not one man (though if you read revisionist you’d think he’s the only one), it’s a tad offensive when the province that has offered me shelter is so easily dismissed.
This is a foreshadowing of how the Communion bureaucracy sees Lambeth 08. It may or may not be good that so many GS PS’s showed up for this all-expenses-paid dog-and-pony show, as #5 calls it. (Note that ALL of the revisionist provinces were represented.) But it demonstrates why many of these Provinces do not plan to attend a similar 3-week extravaganza next summer orchestrated by the Anglican Communion Office. One would suspect that Lambeth 08 will come out with statements as empty as this one (read “problems in the Communion? what problems?”). One forgets how close Lambeth 98 came to being just such a meaningless event. Resolution 1.10 and other Resolutions affirming Scripture were passed in the teeth of the ACO. Many GS provinces have decided either a) Lambeth 08 will be even more completely rigged; and/or b) that it is simply not woth the effort since decisions of Lambeth have no effectual force.
Many GS provinces have decided either a) Lambeth 08 will be even more completely rigged; and/or b) that it is simply not woth the effort since decisions of Lambeth have no effectual force.
Stehen, has to be b). Because at Nottingham, if you recall, the Global South showed itself more than capable of dealing with anything Perfidious Albion can throw at it – and they will never make the mistake they made in Nottingham again. 200 liberal bishops would stand no chance against 600 African Christians – as you well know!
And the absense of Nigeria and the Southern Cone is most significant. As for the rest, we will see.
The post of the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Nigeria has been vacant since the March 2007 consecration of the last secretary – The then Venerable Oluranti Odubogun- as the bishop of the Diocese of Ife.