There seems to be more interest than usual in the meeting of Anglican primates, March 2-9 at Kanuga, the conference center near Black Mountain, N.C. This gathering will be unusual because it was only a year ago when the primates met in Portugal. At that time, because of concern over some current issues facing Anglicans, the primates decided to meet this year rather than to wait until 2002.

Archbishops and presiding bishops of each of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion will be present at Kanuga. Like the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, the primates' meeting has no canonical weight, but it does provide the various leaders with an opportunity to discuss important matters in an atmosphere of collegial loyalty.

This meeting is attracting greater interest because it is expected that issues concerning sexuality will be on the agenda. The willingness of some bishops of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, among others, to ordain non-celibate homosexual persons and to sanction the blessing of same-sex relationships is a major concern to many of the primates. We hope Anglicans everywhere will pray for the primates as they gather soon at Kanuga. May their time together be worthwhile and productive.