Range of international issues discussed. Podcast follows.
On the sixth and final day of the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin, Primates discussed the content of final documents that had been prepared over the week. They began with reviewing the first draft of a working document on the proposed purpose and scope of the Primates’ Meeting. They then reviewed other documents—letters and statements—covering a range of international issues.
Documents agreed included a statement on climate change, one on the murder of Ugandan David Kato, an open letter to the President Robert Mugabe on the persecution of Anglicans in Zimbabwe, and a statement on the church’s response to violence against women and girls. These were made public at the afternoon’s press conference and via the Anglican Communion website.
Private letters that the Primates all agreed to send included one to Pakistan’s leaders on the blasphemy laws, a letter of support for Archbishop of Sudan the Most Revd Daniel Deng Bul, a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the Bishop of Jerusalem the Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, a letter to the heads of the six-nation talks on the situation in Korea, and a letter of support to both Archbishop Mouneer Anis and Pope Shenouda III.
In the afternoon session, the Primates nominated and elected their five members and five alternate members for the Primates’ Standing Committee. When all the Primates of the Anglican Communion have been informed who the new members are, the names will be posted on the Anglican Communion website. Documents on the scope and purpose of the Primates’ Meeting and of the Primates’ Standing Committee were also agreed.
Immediately following the press conference, the Primates attended a final Eucharist, presided over by the Primate of All Ireland Archbishop Alan Harper. The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams gave the homily. This service marked the end of the meeting.
At todays press conference the panel comprised of the Archbishop of
Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, The Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi,
Archbishop of the Province of Burundi & Bishop of Matana, The Most Revd
Dr John Walder Dunlop Holder, Archbishop, Church in the Province of the
West Indies & Bishop of Barbados and The Most Revd David Robert
Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church & Bishop of St
Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane. They were welcomed by The Most Revd Alan
Edwin Thomas Harper, Primate of All Ireland & Archbishop of Armagh
Dr Rowan Williams said the outcomes of the Primates Meeting had met his
“Chief hopes” for the week. He explained that among other letters and
statements agreed by the Primates there were two outlining the scope and
purpose of the Primates Meeting and its Standing Committee. His address
was followed by a question and answer session with members of the media.
The Podcast can be downloaded from here:
http://www.aco.org/daily/podcasts/source/prim01302011.mp3
These briefings have been prepared on a daily basis by Anglican Communion Office staff with oversight from a variety of Primates representing different parts of the Communion.