Dear Despatch,
Thank you for a your Fax and information on the reports I requested ...
As you know I have received a photocopy of the first of your ( WCRP )reports which is most disturbing. I sent a copy to an Anglican friend of mine who has his ear to the ground on Anglican matters and he tells me that he could find nothing out from the clergy in the diocese of ... (name withheld) Two priests said it was all RUBBISH - NO SUCH CONFERENCE ON THAT BASIS COULD POSSIBLEY HAVE TAKEN PLACE. My friend went on to say that for some years, he has had the feeling that the clergy were holding back on something, what it was or is he could not define but he is confident of one thing, if you mention Biblical Law or Prophesy, they dry up and do not want to know you. This does not surprise me really, I wonder on (sic) times what kind of candidates are being selected and trained for the Anglican colleges today. I do not think the true faith prevails within the so-called Christian Church. I am thinking of II Peter 3:3-4....

Today there was a news item in the Daily Telegraph which certainly ties up with your report on the Melbourne Conference - copy below...

Awaiting the return of Our Lord,
(Name and address withheld. *Emphasis in original letter author's not Despatch).

DAILY TELEGRAPH, Wednesday 18th February 1998.
 

The Archbishop of Canterbury is today hosting unprecedented talks between religious leaders and the WORLD BANK on improving society. More than 20 world religious figures have been flown to London at the expense of the World Bank for a two-day conference in Lambeth Palace. It is the first time the World Bank had formally acknowledged the role of religion in helping countries to develop. Until now, it has relied principally on its relationships with governments in planning development programmes. James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, and the Archbishop Dr. George Carey, said in an opening statement: "We shall be exploring questions about what constitutes successful development, bearing in mind the importance of religious, cultural, social and environmental aspects of society's well-being." The principle faiths will be represented, including Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Taoists.

Among the participants will be the Crown Prince of Jordan and the Aga Khan, representing Islam, and Swami Vibudhesha Teertha, the first monk to travel outside India.

The conference hopes to discover what different faiths understand by poverty, prosperity and development.

Prince Philip last night invited all religious leaders to a reception at Buckingham Palace.
(by Victoria Combs. Churches Correspondence

ENGLAND:

World Bank to meet world faith leaders at Lambeth Palace. "... The dialogue - named "World Faiths and Development" - will be so-chaired by James Wolfensohn and George Carey...`the Images aim of the dialogue is to broaden opportunities for common understanding and action in tackling the critical issue of global poverty. It is designed to help the bank and the faiths to reach a better understanding of each other's ideas about approaches to development and possible obstacles in the way of achieving desirable development aims.'... (Churches have joined other organisations in a major campaign calling for the huge debts of many develpoing countries to be cancelled at the end of the millennium.) *see Jubilee 2000 this issue* p.1... Asked by ENI at the press conference why the World Bank had chosen to work through the Anglican Church rather than an ecumenical body like the World Council of Churches, Mr. Wolfensohn said:

" I don't know. I didn't think I was meeting the Anglican Church, but a group of religious leaders. The Archbishop was kind enough to offer [the use of] his 800-year-old palace. He has a record of achievement in this area [development] that none can better... Both men called the dialogue` historic', while Archbishop Carey spoke of "learning together". James Wolfensohn said the two sides in the dialogue would "enrich each other"... Spokesman confirmed, however, that the World Bank's sister organisation, the IMF, International Monetary Fund, would not be officially represented at the meeting..." (end of quotes)

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