The degree of welcome extended to delegates from North America is uncertain. The Primates, in a statement in February, asked them to withdraw from official representation. Whether this means exclusion from the programme of events and receptions being planned is still uncertain.

Many years of civil war in the Congo DR has killed some 3 million people, rendering millions more homeless and completely ruined the country’s economy. The Church is also affected by this colossal loss of human lives and property. Stories abound of families sharing sleeping accommodation by observing shifts. Feeding is a problem as well as education with the clergy even finding it difficult to send their children to school.

In August of 2003, at its triennial General Convention, the Episcopal Church, the 2-million-member branch of the Anglican Communion in the United States, made several decisions that are in conflict with the teachings of the wider Communion. Most significantly, it consented to the election of an openly practicing homosexual to become the Bishop of New Hampshire, and approved the use of rites for blessing same-sex unions.

I now believe that all Incumbents in the Diocese of Brisbane should worry about the security of their tenure in the light of this action; if they are wise, they will move in the Diocesan Synod to repeal the Benefices Avoidance Canon on the basis that it is unjust legislation, compared with, for example, the Tribunal Canon, and can be so easily used in such a way as to deny Incumbents natural justice.