Nearly 100 members of the Compass Rose Society of the Anglican Communion meeting in London this month, heard sombre reports of the situation in the Middle East and the AIDS pandemic in Africa, elected new officers and planned for the endowment campaign.

The Rt Rev Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, described the situation in the Middle East as "terrible" and drew attention to places like Nablus, which has been under curfew for almost four months. "That means that people are unable to leave their homes, attend schools, go to work and worship together," the bishop said. He added that the employees of St Luke's Hospital have been working without pay for some time. "We are at the brink of bankruptcy. That is certainly an untenable situation."

Bishop Riah also told the group that the situation of the schools is very similar. "The consequences of this situation will affect our future for many years to come," he added. He mentioned that the Palestinian people were one of the most educated people in the world and lack of education is having debilitating effects on their lives.

Describing the violence and the cost in human lives, the bishop said that prayer and effective action are most needed. He said that the Church in Jerusalem is the "Mother Church of all the churches in the world and at this time in history she needs the love and concern of all her children around the world." Bishop Riah also thanked the Society for its generosity and the help given in the Jerusalem 2000 Campaign.

The members of the Society also heard a dramatic presentation about AIDS in Africa. Speaking from his own experience, the Revd Ted Karpf, Canon Missioner for HIV/AIDS in the Province of Southern Africa, said "there are no words" to express the magnitude and consequences of the pandemic in all of Africa.

"By 2010 there will be 25 million orphans in many African countries," he said. He added that less than 2 percent of the infected people have access to treatment. "Something must be done and the time is now."

In some countries, such as Namibia, 35 percent of the population is infected. He also noted that there are indications that the epidemic will reach China, India and central Asia in the near future.

Furthermore, he reported that there is a change of attitude in the leadership of most African nations and churches. While for some time they were in denial, now they realise that the situation is worse than was originally thought. "The problem is that there are not enough resources to combat the epidemic and that the international assistance is coming slowly and not in sufficient quantities," he pointed out.

Karpf affirmed that Anglicans are playing an important role, especially in education. He thanked the Compass Rose Society for the help already given but added that there is much more that needs to be done.

The Rev Canon John L. Peterson, Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, reported on two Mission Visits by members of the Society to the diocese of Mpwapwa in Tanzania. "In spite of being the third poorest country in the world, the quality of life in the Church was outstanding," he said.

Canon Peterson said that he was inspired and overwhelmed by the life of the Church in Hong Kong, venue of the recent meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council. Their hospitality and kindness to us is something that will be remembered for years to come, he said. Unfortunately, the group was saddened by the death the Revd Basimaki Byabasaija, a delegate from the Congo who was killed as he was leaving for Hong Kong.

The Secretary General announced that it had been a "great privilege" to serve, without vote, on the Crown Appointments Commission for the appointment of the new Archbishop of Canterbury. He said Archbishop Rowan Williams is a "man of deep prayer and spirituality, a man of compassion and with a great passion for Africa."

He also announced the Deaconess Community of St Andrews had offered their house in West London to the Anglican Communion Office for a peppercorn rent. This would make it possible for an Anglican Centre to be established in London. He added that "a good deal of money" will be needed to convert the house into suitable office space.

Canon Peterson said that he was pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Pellew, former British Ambassador to the Holy See. He said that Ambassador Pellew brings with him a rich heritage of relations and service and his appointment will free him for more frequent visits to the Provinces and for raising of an endowment for the Anglican Communion.

The Society received a letter of greeting from Presiding Bishop John Paterson of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, who had been elected Chair of the ACC in Hong Kong. The members of the Society learned that 26 members had been added to their ranks since the last meeting.

Mission Trips will be scheduled in the near future once Archbishop Designate, Dr Rowan Williams be enthroned. Later on in the evening the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, thanked the Society for its "wonderful" contributions to the life and mission of the Anglican Communion around the world at a gala dinner at Lambeth Palace.