Here is a press release from the host diocese:
30 September 2005
The Episcopal Diocese of Egypt welcomes the Third Anglican Global South to South Encounter
From 25th – 30th October 2005, about 120 delegates, representing 20 provinces within the Anglican Communion, from Africa, Asia and Latin America, will be meeting in Egypt for their third Global South Encounter. The Conference will take place at the Red Sea.
We, here in Egypt, are honored and privileged to be hosting this historic gathering of Anglican Archbishops, bishops, priests and laypersons from throughout the Global South. We also believe it will be a special time of encouraging one another, learning from each other, and most importantly, praying together. Our focus will be on “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church”. This Conference is important as it is being held at a critical time in the life of the Anglican Communion.
I warmly welcome the news that Archbishop Rowan Williams has accepted the invitation of the Global South Working Committee and will join us for part of the Conference. This will be his second visit to Egypt and we are most grateful to him for taking the time out of his busy schedule for this occasion.
Throughout the Biblical story, from Abraham to Jesus, Egypt symbolized a divine place of refuge and sanctuary. From the patriarch Abraham going to Egypt during a time of famine, to the tribe of Israel moving to Egypt when there was famine in their land, to the Holy Family escaping Herod to Egypt to protect the Christ child. Egypt symbolized God meeting His people in their time of need. So Egypt in the Scriptures reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Our prayer is that during this Encounter, God will provide spiritual refreshment and new ministry vision to all who attend. As we gather by the Red Sea, may we be reminded of the presence of God among us and His unfailing promises.
It is worth mentioning that the first South to South Encounter was held in Limuru, Kenya, 1994 and the second was held in Kuala Lampur in 1997. Today we are excited to welcome all attendees and we encourage them to come to Egypt with a sense of expectation for the presence of God. It is a real honor for us to have this gathering in our land.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa
Cairo, Egypt
“Throughout the Biblical story, from Abraham to Jesus, Egypt symbolized a divine place of refuge and sanctuary.”
Um. Er. Um. “Out of Egpyt I have called my son.” Egypt was also, don’t forget, the place of slavery, of refusal of God’s control of events, of bondage, of repression.
Exodus, Isaiah, Jeremiah anyone???
“We, here in Egypt, are honored and privileged to be hosting this historic gathering of Anglican Archbishops, bishops, priests and laypersons from throughout the Global South,” well, except for from Brazil, where we’ve barred those terrible “heretics” from coming, although thankfully we shall have a nice delegation of schismatics (of the Anglo-Puritan Communion sort) in their place.
same old story: ‘can anything good come out of Africa?’ Well I’d say; Come and See.
“I warmly welcome the news that Archbishop Rowan Williams has accepted the invitation of the Global South Working Committee and will join us for part of the Conference. This will be his second visit to Egypt and we are most grateful to him for taking the time out of his busy schedule for this occasion.”
In what capacity will Rowan address the South-South Encounter? As a Pharaoh that is about to let the ‘Jews’ go to the ‘promised land’ and sacrifice to the true God
Hopefully, some of these clergy and laypersons will follow the Archbishop of Canterbury and not Akinola. If the Nigerian initiates the split at this conference, Williams and the loyal Anglicans should make it clear that they are not the ones who are breaking Communion.
At least, that’s the way I see it from Brooklyn, USA.
I find Kurt’s comment very interesting. I had been opposed to the ABC attending something which had changed itself from being an official Anglican meeting of CAPA (by disinviting Brazil), but if Kurt is right, the presence of ++Rowan representing the traditional source of the tradition might have an effect on some of the participants — may it happen so.
I wasn’t aware that Brazil was a member of CAPA, it being a group of Anglican provinces in Africa, so I’m confused by Prior Aelred’s comment.