The report we have agreed now offers to our brothers and sisters in Christ very real ways in which we could begin to strengthen our common life in the Lord, and to strengthen the workings of the Instruments of Unity so that they will be able to function more effectively in drawing our forty-four churches into greater interdependence and mutual life.

>From the outset, it was not the job of the Lambeth Commission to reopen the standard of teaching set out in Lambeth Resolution 1.10 (1998), but I am glad to see a recognition in this report of the fact that the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) and the Diocese of New Westminster, in acting as they did, did breach the bonds of affection that hold us together.

For me, the very last paragraph of the report is important. It clearly sets out the fact that as a commission we have aimed to work for healing and restoration, but it also recognises that there remains the danger that our brothers and sisters may still choose to walk apart. If the recommendations of our report are not taken seriously, then the question of our future together in the Anglican Communion will remain, and greater division may result.

For this reason, I hope that we will all pray for God's help in finding his way forward, and that everyone will read the report with careful consideration of our proposals.

The Most Revd Bernard Malango
Primate of Central Africa
Member of the Lambeth Commission on Communion