The Archbishop of Canterbury Helps Launch the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund

Oct 20, 2010

Episcopal Relief & Development hosted a luncheon in New York City in honor of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams.

Among the 75 guests in attendance were friends and supporters of Episcopal Relief & Development and the NetsforLife® program partnership; members of Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors; and many NetsforLife® corporate partners.

Bishop O’Neill spoke about the importance of the life-saving work of Episcopal Relief & Development, from responding to the recent crisis in Haiti to the ongoing mission of promoting health and fighting disease through NetsforLife®.

He concluded his remarks by proudly stating, “Today, we are officially launching the NetsforLife® Inspiration Fund of Episcopal Relief & Development.”

Reminiscing on his days at school, the Archbishop stated, “One of the greatest achievements, we were told, of modern science and medicine was removing the scourge of malaria. That means that in the course of my lifetime, we’ve seen that progress reversed. Progress is not irresistible, one-directional – things can get worse.”

“If we forget our responsibility for one another, then what we shall see is more of the tragedies malaria has created in Africa and elsewhere in the recent years. NetsforLife® is aptly and crucially about saving lives. It is more crucially a reminder to all of us that vigilance is a part of our responsibility.”

“The churches have a reach, an embeddedness, a rootedness in communities that allows them to deliver change – locally and simply.”