Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Monday, 24 November, 2003
Stephen Cviic, BBC correspondent, London
The eighth assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches is being attended by 800 leaders from more than 150 churches.
It is six years since the last meeting and this is likely to be a colourful affair.
Religious leaders from 39 countries begin with an act of worship at the National Stadium in Yaounde on Saturday evening.
It continued with a formal opening ceremony, and includes various plenary sessions.
At one of these former child soldiers from the continent's many wars will speak of their experiences.
At another there will be contributions from members of African American churches.
Stigma
But perhaps the biggest issue is Aids.
During the session on HIV and Aids, delegates, including clerics, will be invited to volunteer for HIV tests as a way of lessening the stigma surrounding the disease.
And that night there is to be a candlelight procession through Yaounde in solidarity with those who are HIV positive.
What is less clear is whether there will be a consensus about what to do about the disease.
Most Christian churches in Africa tend to be fairly conservative on sexual matters.
So it will be interesting to see what emerges from their discussions.
In a similar vein, there is almost certain to be discussion about the recent appointment by the US Episcopal Church of its first openly gay bishop - a move widely condemned by Christians in Africa.
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