Anglican Communion News Service

Kanuga Episcopal Conference Centre, Hendersonville, North Carolina USA

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr George L Carey
Archbishop of Canterbury, Chairman

The Most Revd Frank T Griswold
Presiding Bishop of the USA, Host Primate

The Revd Canon John L Peterson
Secretary General, Anglican Communion Secretary for the Meeting

Official dates of meeting: 2nd - 9th March 2001

Plans for the 2001 meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion are in the final stages. The Archbishop of Canterbury envisions the annual meetings of the primates as a time of mutual support and spiritual refreshment for those called to lead the provinces of the Anglican Communion.

This gathering in the mountains of North Carolina, which will be in the nature of a retreat - grounded in a rhythm of worship and Bible study - will be a private meeting, without press or visitors, and the Kanuga Centre will be open only by invitation to those who are formally part of the Primates Meeting.

The work of the Primates gathering has been set by the Primates Standing Committee in consultation with the chairman. The three main areas of concentration for the 2001 meeting will deal with:

• Mission issues, poverty and debt concerns.
• "Canons and Communion" and the response to the HIV/AIDS crisis/globally.
• Various reports and documents will be received during the meeting.

It is expected all 38 Primates will be present along with many of their spouses. Mrs. Phoebe Griswold, the spouse of the host primate, is planning a programme for them in consultation with Eileen Carey.

Press and Media Enquiries: Accredited (Press Card Holders) Media persons should note that there will be a Communications direct line contact during the meeting.

All calls should be directed to the Anglican Communion Communications Office in London. Closer to the time a Direct line at Kanuga will be in place. Tel: 001 828 692 0077. Please do not call Kanuga's telephone number. Calls cannot be transferred. Please use our private number.

Communications Telephone Line: To register - please post/mail a photocopy of your press card with appropriate fax and contact numbers (email addresses will be honoured). This service is provided for accredited media persons only. We appreciate your interest and co-operation. Others interested in the meeting can be assured we will post on the web any and all public information.

Any news, announcements, statements, prayer requests or information that the Primates might wish to share will be immediately available on the official web site of the Anglican Communion - www.anglicancommunion.org - its news service, Anglican Communion News Service www.anglicancommunion.org/acns and by fax to those who pre-register with Canon Rosenthal's office.

Photos will be available (prints and email) as well, including group photos and individual requests that you might have for your publications. Please register by writing:

Primates Meeting Communications
Anglican Communion Secretariat
157 Waterloo Rd
London SE1 8UT, England

Or by fax - +44 20 7620 1070

Post or fax only please.

Canon James M Rosenthal
Director of Communication for the Anglican Communion