From 10-15 February 1997, 80 delegates, representing the Anglican Churches of the South, gathered in the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur, to meet, know and encourage one another, in their Christian life and mission; to follow-up on the first Encounter in the South and specifically to seek God’s light and wisdom as we reflect on the place of Scripture in the life and mission of the Church in the 21st century.

God’s glory and loving purposes have been revealed in the creation of humankind (Rom. 1:18; Gen. 1:36, 27). Among the multiplicty of his gifts we are blessed with our sexuality

In particular I hope we shall attend to the central Gospel message of reconciliation, especially at a time when violence, conflict ands tension in the world cries out for forgiveness and peace. In my travels in the Anglican Comumnion I have been very moved by the brave and joyful witness of Anglican Christians in the “South”, and the growth of the Church there even in suffering. I believe we in the “North” should heed your experiences, and learn from them more of the deep truths of the Gospel we share.

Our varied experiences from different cultures and contextual settings have brought home to us the need to proclaim, with a loud voice, the ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation: reconciliation between husband and wife, parents and children within the whole family of the Church – at parish, diocesan and Provincial levels and throughout the whole Communion.

BY THE GRACE of God, seventy-two of us gathered from 22 countries and 23 Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the South, have met at Limuru, Kenya. The first meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council took place here in 1971; and here, twenty-three years later, we have shared in another important step in the pilgrimage of Anglicans worldwide along the road of faithfulness to our Lord.

Appendix II: - for the article Farewell to Babel by Michael Poon

Appendix I - for the article Farewell to Babel by Michael Poon