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.

Nigerian Methodist Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen has been chosen to moderate the Continuing Committee on Ecumenism in the 21st Century, a group assigned to monitor and encourage initiatives in a global quest for Christian unity.

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.

After four days of meetings, some 240 leaders of a broad range of churches, confessions and interchurch organizations from over 70 countries agreed to carry forward what they call "the Global Christian Forum process" - an open dialogue platform.

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.

Leaders meeting in Kenya belonging to all main Christian traditions, and from countries ranging from Armenia to Zimbabwe, have pledged to convene international, local and regional meetings to deepen reconciliation and understanding.

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.

A prominent US Pentecostal leader has hailed a world gathering that has been described as bringing together the broadest range of Christian traditions ever assembled at a global meeting, saying that it is "a new Pentecost".

"Some would have said that this event was not possible, but here we are - and the world wonders what will come next," said the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia at the opening of the Global Christian Forum taking place in Limuru, Kenya.

A unique gathering of high level church leaders starting on Tuesday 6 November 2007 near Nairobi, Kenya, features the broadest range of Christian traditions ever represented at a global meeting, says its organisers.