Delegates are expected to discuss the impact the consecration of a non-celibate lesbian in The Episcopal Church to the episcopacy will have on the Anglican Communion. The incremental innovations of TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada have been the subject of discussion for over a decade, but many believe this might be the end of the road for provinces that do not conform to Scripture on matters of human sexual behavior.

The theme of the Fourth Global South Encounter is "The Gospel of Jesus Christ-Covenant for the People; Light for the Nations."

In his welcoming address Southeast Asian Archbishop John Chew said the communion was a crisis point. "We are keenly aware of the current issues and deepening crisis and challenges facing our communion. There is no denying that these issues will inevitably be of great concerns in our minds, prayers and conversations. We have the challenge of how we will respond to the Anglican Covenant. It is important that we can share our respective views, even if we differ."

"Whatever the responses, it is imperative that the Global South stays on course in what the Lord has called us to since the mind 80s. This movement has evolved by the grace of God. In recent years, our orthodox Western associates have also grown closer in fellowship and partnership with us." He urged delegates to "stay focused."

"We need to faithfully and collegially grow our unity on the basis of mutual trust and respect. From that position, we will be able to exercise our God-given stewardship of the historic faith and order for our communion and His Church." Chew described the occasion as a "very critical time."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams was invited but his diary did not permit him to come, the press corps was told.

The first two "South to South Encounters" "Anglican churches in the South" took place in Limuru in 1994 and Kuala Lumpur in 1997. A third meeting took place in Egypt in 2005 where the theme was "One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: Being a Faithful for such a Time as This."

The following is a list of all the participants present here in Singapore

GS PROVINCES/PARTICIPANTS

Burundi

Primate: Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi
Rt Revd Martin Blaise Nyaboho
Rt Revd Sixbert Macumi Revd Pedaculi Birakengana
Revd Yvette Inamahoro
Mr Leonidas Niyongabo

Central Africa

Rt Revd Albert Chama (Dean of the Province)
Rt Revd William Mchombo
Rt Revd Godfrey Tawonezvi
Revd Fr Christopher Kennedy Mwawa

Congo

Primate: Most Revd Henri Kahwa Isingoma
Revd Canon Sabiti Tibafa Daniel
Ven Muhindo Isesomo Adolphe

Hong Kong

Revd Peter Douglas Koon (Provincial Secretary General)
Revd Fan Chun Ho,
Samson Jeremiah

Indian Ocean

Primate: Most Revd Ian Ernest
Rt Revd Samoela Jaona Ranarivelo
Rt Revd James Wong
Revd Eugene Tsifanavy
Mrs Baozoma Lucie Martine

Jerusalem & Middle East

Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis
Rt Revd Andrew J. Proud
Rt Revd Azad Marshall
Very Revd Dr Samy Fawzy Shehata
Revd Samuel Fanous
Mr Mark Takki Senad

Kenya

Primate: Most Revd Dr Eliud Wabukala
Rt Revd Stephen Njihia
Ven Raphael Okumu
Revd Joseph Kuria Wanyoike
Miss Grace Madoka
Mr James S Mathenge
Rt. Rev. Bill Atwood

Melanesia

Primate: Most Revd David Vunagi
Rt Revd Sam Sahu
Mr Alick Palusi

Myanmar

Primate: Most Revd Stephen Than Myint Oo
Rt Revd Saw Wilme
Revd Dr San Myant Shwe
Mr Saw Edward
Mr U San lin
Ms Joy Hla Gyaw

Nigeria

Primate: Most Revd Nicholas Okoh
Rt Revd Dapo Asaju
Rt Revd Ikechi Nwosu
Ven Michael Adebayo Farohunbi
Mrs Ngozi Okeke
Mrs Titi Maboguje
Mr Henshaw Aderemi Adetoye

North India

Rt Revd Sunil Singh
Revd Dr Paul Swarup

Rwanda

Primate: Most Revd Emmanuel M Kolini
Rt Revd O Rwaje
Rt Revd John Rucyahana
Rt Revd Charles Murphy
Rt Revd Dr Laurent Sanala
Revd Dr Kevin Francis Donlon
Mrs Freda Kolini
Mrs Margaret Murphy

South East Asia

Primate: Most Revd Dr John Chew
Rt Revd Bolly Lapok
Rt Revd Datuk Albert Vun
Ven John Yeo Revd
Canon Dr Michael Poon
Benjamin Lim Chzen Wui
Mr Richard Magnus

Southern Africa

Rt Revd Dr Johannes Seoka (Bishop of Pretoria)
Rt Revd Martin Breytenbach
Revd Keith De Vos
Ms Louisa Madiako Kojela
Mrs Gloria Tomatoe Serobe
Dr Sybil Nomathonya Elizabeth (Timeya) Seoka

Southern Cone

Primate: Most Revd Gregory Venables
Rt Revd Tito Zavala

Sudan

Primate: Most Revd Canon Dr Daniel Deng Bul Yak
Rt Revd Francis Loyo
Rt Revd Anthony Poggo
Rt Revd Alapayo Manyang Kuctiel

Tanzania

Primate: Most Revd Dr Valentino Mokiwa
Revd Bethuel Mlula
Prof John Palamagamba Kabudi

Uganda

Primate: Most Revd Henry Orombi
Rt Revd Stephen Kaziimba
Rt Revd George Erwau
Revd Canon William Ongeng
Revd Canon Dr Alison L Barfoot
Revd Professor Stephen Noll
Ms Vicky Nankya

West Africa

Primate: Most Revd Dr Justice O Akrofi
Rt Revd Dr Festus Yeboah-Asuamah
Mr George Amissah Jr
Ms Doris Sheba Brown
Mr Michael Ntim

West Indies

Rt Revd Howard Gregory (Bishop)

WESTERN ASSOCIATES BY COUNTRIES

Australia

Most Revd Dr Jeffrey Driver (Archbishop of Adelaide)
Most Revd Dr Peter Jensen (Archbishop of Sydney)
Mr Robert Tong

England

Rt Rev David Urquhart (Bishop of Birmingham)
Ven Michael Lawson

New Zealand

Rt Revd Richard Ellena (Bishop of Nelson)
Revd Dr Timothy Harris

USA - ACNA

Archbishop: Most Revd Robert Duncan
Rt Revd John Guernsey
Revd Phillip Ashey
Mr Hugo Blankingship

USA - TEC (Communion Partners)

Rt Revd John Howe (Bishop of Central Florida)
Rt Revd Mark J Lawrence (Bishop of South Carolina)

SPECIAL GUESTS AND OBSERVERS

China

Elder Fu Xianwei Chairman, National Committee of the Three Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) of the Protestant Churches in China
Mr Gu Mengfei Deputy Director of the Research Department China Christian Council (CCC)/National Committee of the Three-self Patriotic Movement (TSPM)

Coptic Church

His Grace Bishop Anba Suriel

GSE4 SPEAKERS

Most Rev Peter Akinola (Abp/Chairman, GSPSC)
Rt Revd Ng Moon Hing (Bishop of W. Malaysia)
Mr Keith Chua (Asst Treasurer; Economic Empowerment)
Rt Revd Rennis Ponnniah (Asst. Bishop, Diocese of S'pore)

OBSERVERS WITH DUTIES

Rt Revd Datuk Yong Ping Chung (Former Archbishop, Conference Chaplain)
Datuk Stanley Isaacs (Communiqué Drafting Committee)

OBSERVERS

Revd Dr Charles Diskson Alley (Rector, St Matthew's Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Church, USA)
Mr Kua Wee Seng (Hon. Special Assistant to Archbishop John Chew (China)/Coordinator
Datin Julia Yong

GSE4 SECRETARIAT & ORGANIZING TEAM

Rt Revd Martyn Minns (Bishop)
Revd Canon Terry Wong
Revd Canon Wong Tak Meng
Revd Dr Titus Chung
Revd Peter Chen Revd John Lin

The following had their plans disrupted owing to the Icelandic volcanic eruption.

They are:

Ugandan Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi
Venerable Michael Lawson
The Very Rev. Mike Murphy
Rt. Rev. Sam Sahu
Ms. Susan Grayson
Mrs. Gloria Tomatoe Serobe
Rt. Rev. David Urquhart (Birmingham Diocese, UK)

The Rt. Rev. Stephen Kazimba, Bishop of Mityana, has been appointed the representative for Archbishop Orombi.

END