The 2008 Lambeth Conference is fast approaching. But will Lambeth be held at all in 2008? To this question I would venture to reply Yes, though possibly with a largish number of bishops not present.

Ever since I was a member of the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia, and then one of the presidents of that regional ecumenical organisation, I have had a profound interest in the nation of Burma, its people, and especially Burmese Christians.

Some images we see of life in Africa are heart wrenching, especially those coming out of Zimbabwe.

The wreck of the Dunbar reminds us it is to Jesus that we must look for our eternal future, for as the disciples said, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

There now exists a Global South Network which is making its presence forcefully felt, especially through its leaders’ presence in Anglican Communion primates’ meetings.

Last month the NSW Greens moved to send comments of Cardinal George Pell on stem cell research to the Upper House Privileges Committee. Greens’ spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said that Dr Pell brought MPs religious life into the debate, that some people saw it as a threat, so Greens believe the matter needed investigation.

Over recent weeks a series of articles have centred on the writings of atheists or agnostics, alarmed at the threat of religious belief.

Fleeting media attention often means we remain oblivious to horrific human rights abuses and disaster situations. In many of our congregations we are, unfortunately, locally focused.

The Episcopal Church (TEC) reactions to the Communique from the February Primates’ Meeting are fascinating. If these represent mainstream TEC views, where is the Anglican Communion headed?

A party doesn’t automatically own our vote because it calls itself Christian.

The year 2007 is likely to be the make or break for the Anglican Communion. We may know more of this after the Primates’ Meeting is held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania later this month.

Last month saw the G20 finance ministers meeting in Melbourne. However there were more events, organized by Christian leaders that were umbrella events beside the G20 meetings.

In Synod last month we had a debate about the meaning of the word ‘martyr’. In my opinion, with the fluidity of language, the term now has a wide meaning.

Melbourne Synod on its second attempt elected Philip Freier, Bishop of the Northern Territory to be their Archbishop. It is fair to say that this popular figure from the Top End faces a momentous task when he moves south in December.

The Ugandan-born Archbishop of York, who has a fine eye for the use of symbols, gained much media attention when he shaved his head and spent seven days in a tent in York Minster. He aimed to show solidarity with those caught up in the Middle East conflict. When he ended his seven-day fast, Archbishop Sentamu said that every country had to create an inclusive society that did not breed rejection or extremism.

Everyone who knew Dr Knox has their favourite stories about him – here is one of mine. I always enjoyed sitting with him in the College Dining Room at lunch watching him eating his orange from a plate with a knife and fork.

Few people here in Australia seemed to notice a global discussion accompanying the football news. It never made the sports pages in Australia – Les Murray made no comment - but on the internet, and in other parts of the world the issue of prostitution and the World Cup has received major attention.

Sulawesi is a picturesque Indonesian island, with an extensive Christian population especially in the north. They live in difficult circumstances at times, especially further to the south, where there are fragile political and societal relationships. It was in Poso, also on Sulawesi, that Islamist terrorists, who have admitted the crime, beheaded three Christian schoolgirls last October.

Sydney Diocese often receives critical attention from sections of the media. Communication is one of our significant priorities, and it is pursued vigorously. Diocesan views on issues of community debate are carefully prepared, always resting on an appropriate biblical foundation.

We don’t like to see ourselves as racist – a 2002 survey conducted by a senior lecturer in geography from the University of New South Wales found 83 per cent of respondents agreed there was racial prejudice in Australia, but 80.2 per cent denied they were racist themselves.

The initial starting point of the Catholic Bishops’ statement emphasises that communication lies at the heart of Christian mission. “Christ was the ultimate communicator…Jesus exhorted those who followed him to take his message to the ends of the earth.”

War orphans are an increasing phenomena emerging from international conflicts. Their plight is poignantly revealed in the Plan ad that’s been showing on TV screens of late. We see an African boy with an adult, and the voiceover says: ‘Since he was found beside the body of his dead mother he hasn’t said a word’. It is a stark reminder of children who have come out of horrific experiences to face life alone.

A campaign to highlight Aboriginal poverty needs to be well supported.

One in ten babies under the age of one year was reported to the NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) under suspicion of abuse or neglect in the last financial year.

Our political life is being driven by a rumour-hungry media says Margaret Rodgers.