ACNS 4210 | LAMBETH | 09 NOVEMBER 2006
Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Rome
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Benedict XVIth will have their first meeting later this month since the two met briefly following the Pope's Inauguration Mass in 2005. The private Papal Audience, on Thursday 23rd November, will be the centrepiece of Dr Williams' visit to Rome which runs from 21st-26th November. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VIth and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in 1966.
In addition to a number of private meetings in the Vatican, Dr Williams will also take part in the celebrations marking 40 years since the founding of the Anglican Centre in Rome in 1966 Dr Williams will lead worship for Rome's Anglican congregations and deliver two keynote lectures - 'St Benedict and the Future of Europe' and 'Secularity, Freedom and Faith', and meet with the Sant' Egidio Community.
During the visit the Archbishop will be accompanied by Mrs Jane Williams; the delegation will also include Archbishop Peter Carnley, Co-Chair of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), by Bishop David Beetge, Co-Chair of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), and by Bishop John Flack, the Archbishop's Representative to the Holy See.
As on previous visits to the Vatican, Dr Williams will be wearing the Episcopal ring which was presented by Pope Paul VIth to Archbishop Michael Ramsey at their historic meeting in 1966.
Ends
Notes for editors:
Press facilities
The question of accreditation for the Papal Audience and other events in the Vatican, including the Audience and the lecture at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, is being handled by the Vatican. Please consult the Vatican website Here. http://www.vatican.va/
For further details or email accreditamenti@pressva.va for accreditation details. We anticipate that there will be limited space at the St Anselmo lecture and the public services. Requests for accreditation and attendance at these should be made in the first instance by email to the Lambeth Palace Press Office. marie.papworth@lambethpalace.org.uk
In addition, the Archbishop will be holding a press conference, currently scheduled for 1045 hrs Friday 24th November at the Palazzo Doria Pamhilij in Rome. Again, space will be limited, and requests for accreditation for this event should be made as above.
Photos available
Photos of the last meeting between Dr Williams and Pope Benedict, which took place in April 2005, can be obtained from the Vatican. Other photos from Canon James Rosenthal will be made available during the visit by the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS).
In addition, photos of the Episcopal ring presented to Archbishop Ramsey by Pope Paul VIth in 1966 and of the pectoral cross presented by Archbishop Williams to Pope Benedict last year are available from the Lambeth Palace Press Office.
Extracts from the programme:
Tuesday 21st November Arrival in Rome 1715 Lecture - St Benedict and the Future of Europe - delivered at St Anselmo's, the Benedictine university in Rome. The lecture will be followed by Vespers.
Wednesday 22nd November
1900 Service at San Bartolomeo in Isola with the Sant' Egidio community, followed by dinner hosted by the community.. The service will commemorate the Martyrdom of seven members of the Anglican Melanesian Brotherhood. Dr Williams visited the graves of the seven in Honiara, in the Solomon Islands, during his visit to Melanesia in 2004.
Thursday 23rd November AM Audience with Pope Benedict 1800 Lecture at Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences - 'Secularity, Freedom and Faith'. Photo subsequently available from ACNS. The Academy is located behind St Peter's, inside the Vatican Garden.
N.B Media attendance at this event is being coordinated by the Vatican Press Office. The text will be issued under embargo earlier in the day from Lambeth Palace.
Friday 24th November
1045* (*time still to be finally confirmed) Press Conference at Palazzo Doria Pamphilij. Attendance will be limited because of space: for accreditation please contact as above Lambeth Palace Press Office.
Anglican Centre meeting, service of thanksgiving and reception 1630 Evening Prayer at Santa Maria sopra Minerva (the titular church of HE Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor); the worship led by Cardinal Cormac and by the Archbishop, with short homilies from the Archbishop and from HE Cardinal Walter Kasper
Eve Dinner hosted by HM Ambassador to the Holy See, HE Francis Campbell
Sunday 26th November
1500 Eucharist at the Dominican Basilica of Santa Sabina: the Archbishop will preside and preach for the Anglican community in Rome, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Anglican Centre. The Archbishop is not preaching from a text and a transcription will not be immediately. A photo may be available subsequently from ACNS.
Press Release from the Archbishop's Press Office
www.archbishopofcanterbury.org
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