Despite setbacks and constraints, the cause of greater Christian unity and outward-looking cooperation in Britain and Ireland is still strong, a gathering of ecumenists has said.

The Anglican Bishop of Barking, David Hawkins, who represented the Archbishop of Canterbury at the first worldwide Global Christian Forum meeting held earlier this month, has hailed the gathering as the fulfillment of a vision of unity.

The Global Christian Forum meeting in Limuru, Kenya, which has been hailed as the most representative conference of its kind ever held, has issued a message of unity and justice to churches throughout the world at the end of its proceedings.

A senior Vatican official has said the Roman Catholic Church welcomes a new Global Christian Forum which has been hailed as the most representative gathering of Christians from many diverse traditions ever held. It is taking place in Kenya.