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[January 27, 2010] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori met with Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The following are comments from the Presiding Bishop about the meeting.
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The meeting on Tuesday, January 26 with the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was marked by openness to partnership and a respect for the large role that faith communities play in healing the world today.
We talked about the devastation in Haiti and the resulting vulnerability of all people there, and most particularly the very disturbing stories that are emerging about human trafficking of children.
The Episcopal Church has been in Haiti for 150 years – working in schools, universities, hospitals and churches. We will be there for many years to come. I know that the whole Church shares my concern for the welfare of Haiti’s most vulnerable.
Our conversation also included a discussion of Sudan and upcoming elections there. I asked what lessons had been learned from Liberia and Rwanda. What can we do now to prevent further instability and violence? The Secretary General is working to insure that the outcome in Sudan is different this time.
We discussed progress made toward the Millennium Development Goals. Although there has been progress, it is sad to note that only one other developed nation has provided less of its committed funding than the United States. While all of the goals will not be achieved by 2015, now is the time to consider what the next phase will entail. We understand a great deal about what works and what still needs work, and it is time to develop the plan for carrying the goals forward to and beyond 2015.
I was heartened by the substantive conversation and grateful for the time spent with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary General. I am hopeful for further conversations and partnerships to come.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church
____________
The meeting on Tuesday, January 26 with the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was marked by openness to partnership and a respect for the large role that faith communities play in healing the world today.
We talked about the devastation in Haiti and the resulting vulnerability of all people there, and most particularly the very disturbing stories that are emerging about human trafficking of children.
The Episcopal Church has been in Haiti for 150 years – working in schools, universities, hospitals and churches. We will be there for many years to come. I know that the whole Church shares my concern for the welfare of Haiti’s most vulnerable.
Our conversation also included a discussion of Sudan and upcoming elections there. I asked what lessons had been learned from Liberia and Rwanda. What can we do now to prevent further instability and violence? The Secretary General is working to insure that the outcome in Sudan is different this time.
We discussed progress made toward the Millennium Development Goals. Although there has been progress, it is sad to note that only one other developed nation has provided less of its committed funding than the United States. While all of the goals will not be achieved by 2015, now is the time to consider what the next phase will entail. We understand a great deal about what works and what still needs work, and it is time to develop the plan for carrying the goals forward to and beyond 2015.
I was heartened by the substantive conversation and grateful for the time spent with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Secretary General. I am hopeful for further conversations and partnerships to come.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church
Hmmmmmmm - Not a word about Uganda! Very disappointing!!
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