I spent nearly three weeks at the Lambeth Conference, with 670 bishops from all over the world and 550 of their spouses. We may or may not have done enough to overcome the problems the Anglican Communion faces; only time will tell. But what stays with me for now are the stories I heard from my brothers and sisters.

A diocese in South Africa, with 30 to 80 per cent unemployment, is caring for 10,000 AIDs orphans. A bishop in Sudan was just 100 metres from his cathedral, when it was hit by 20 bombs. His diocese covers 70,000 square kilometres, but he is also raising his three children, since the death of his wife. During the genocide in Burundi and Anglican bishop and the Roman Catholic Archbishop regularly journeyed together to the most violent areas, to bring reconciliation. When the archbishop was murdered the bishop continued the trips on his own.

For decades Korea was oppressed by Japan. The little Anglican churches in these lands have worked to be a bridge for reconciliation. It was very moving, when the Koreans led worship, to see the Japanese archbishop leading prayers for healing and asking God for forgiveness.

In Myanmar (Burma), a predominantly Buddhist country, the Anglican church was the first to bring relief to the cyclone devastated area, while their Government claimed that all was under control and refused overseas aid.

The spouses conference heard stories of women who gave up security and careers to accompany their husbands, when they were made bishops in some of the poorest parts of the earth. (There are women bishops, but not yet in these extreme economic circumstances.) In many parts of the world the bishop’s wife often acts as head of a whole range of ministries among the poor.

At the closing service in Canterbury Cathedral seven new names were recorded in the Chapel of Saints and Martyrs of Our Own Time. They were members of the Melanesian Brotherhood, monks who preach the gospel and work for reconciliation in their islands. In 2003 one brother went to the leader of a violent gang, carrying a letter from his Archbishop, as an attempt to open up peace talks. When he did not return, six others were sent to find him. All six were murdered. In the cathedral we stood in silence as their fellow monks and nuns sang a litany as they and their archbishop escorted the list of names to the chapel. The gospel of Christ is being lived today.