Primates of South opt for unity

From The Church Times-

A CONFERENCE of leaders from the Global South has emphasised the strength of the worldwide Anglican Church.

In a communiqué that focused on mission, it was agreed that the strength of the Anglican Church lay in its presence throughout the world, and its unity.

The final statement said: "The nature of the global Anglican Church affords us an opportunity to serve, work, and learn together. This is a gift from God to the world. . . Our unity is both a witness and a conduit by which this work and witness flow."

Delegates, including some from what the communiqué describes as "orthodox Anglican churches in the West", attended the five-day conference in Bangkok, on the theme of mission and networking. They agreed "we can expect a resurgence of traditional religious-cultural groups on the one hand, and hardened secularism and materialism on the other. In the face of these challenges, our greatest need is for discipleship to take root and go deep."

The conference statement said that the Global South was committed to a "strong society marked by the rise of a civil society, political stability, sustainable economy, reduction of poverty, and the eradication of all forms of violence, endemic diseases, and corruption".

The tone of the statement was different from previous communiqués issued after Global South conferences, which have attacked moves by the US Episcopal Church, in particular, to ordain gay clergy.

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2012/27-july/news/world/primates-of-south-opt-for-unity