Contained in the statement are two paragraphs reprinted here that summarize the tone of this year's Dialogue.
We are aware that when we talk, the words we use may not be heard in the same way as we intend and we do not always understand language in the same way. We are engaged in a quest for language that will bring us to common understanding and to better dialogue. That does not mean that we agree or that we seek an agreement on particular issues. What we do intend is to take our responsibilities of episcopal leadership in the life and work of the Church with seriousness, to engage in our calling to bring the local to the universal and the universal to the local, to connect brothers and sisters across Provinces. We are taking responsibility as bishops to lead our people forward in their baptismal call to deepen relationship with Jesus and with each other, in love and service. This is the work of the Holy Spirit leading the whole people of God.
True dialogue is not about convincing the other of the rightness of one’s position. Dialogue is about turning to one another with openness. Christian dialogue is about turning to one another within the Body of Christ, knowing one another to be and trusting each other as brothers and sisters in Christ
(1 Corinthians 12:4-27). We often behave as though we are in court defending ourselves, but that is not indaba, that is not dialogue (1 Corinthians 1:20-25). Rather we seek to understand each other, not to justify or to defend, but to enter into a deep holy conversation, broadening our understanding of each other, of the church, of mission, and of Christ’s call to us (Ephesians 4:31-5:1-2).