wfn.org | [ACNS] Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Pakistan

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 4078     |     LAMBETH	|     17 NOVEMBER 2005

Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Pakistan

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to visit Pakistan
next week at what he says is a highly important period for the country.

"This is a crucial time to be visiting Pakistan. I know that there are
many concerns about those who may have survived the recent earthquake
but whose future is still threatened by the onset of extremely cold
weather conditions. I hope to learn about the things being done to
transfer aid to people in the direst of needs.

"This is also a very important time for Pakistan's faith communities -
the good relations between Christians and Muslims in many parts of the
UK and in Pakistan provide a platform for building further and for
eradicating mistrust and misunderstanding. I am pleased to be able to
visit Muslim students, scholars and leaders in the Islamic University of
Islamabad and elsewhere.

"I am particularly delighted to be sharing in fellowship with the Church
of Pakistan at this point in its history and learning of its mission and
ministry in some of the most challenging parts of the country. And I am
looking forward to the celebrations of the long and fruitful ministry
and leadership of Bishop Malik as Bishop."

The Archbishop, together with Mrs Jane Williams, will travel to Pakistan
next week at the invitation of the Church of Pakistan, whose Moderator
is the Bishop of Lahore, the Rt Revd Alexander Malik.. The Archbishop
and Mrs Williams will be accompanied by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt
Revd Dr Michael Jackson. Dr Jackson is the chair of the NIFCON, the
Network for Inter Faith Concerns in the Anglican Communion.

During his visit Dr Williams will pay courtesy calls on the President of
Pakistan and the country's Prime Minister together with other senior
politicians and will visit those recovering from the recent earthquake
disaster.

The Archbishop's tour will take in meetings with congregations and
visits to churches and church projects and he will lead a retreat for
the Bishops of the Province. Towards the end of the visit Dr Williams
will preside and preach at a special service in Lahore to celebrate the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Malik.

The Archbishop has also accepted an invitation to deliver two lectures
at the Islamic University in Islamabad. He will meet with local Muslim
religious leaders, thinkers, and scholars. He will also visit a Muslim
madrassa - a religious school - during the course of the trip.

The Archbishop will be back in the UK in time for the enthronement of Dr
Sentamu as Archbishop of York.

Notes for editors:

Press matters will be handled by the Revd Jonathan Jennings who, during
the visit
can be reached on a UK mobile: +44 7801 964644.

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 8,000 journalists and other readers around
the world.

For subscription INFORMATION please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html