ACNS 4283 | LAMBETH | 4 MAY 2007
Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Sri Lanka
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams is to spend four days in Sri Lanka next week as part of a visit to South East Asia. Dr Williams' visit comes at a time when tensions have increased in the country following the apparent breakdown in peace negotiations between the Government and the Tamil Tigers.
During the course of his visit, Dr Williams will hold meetings and discussions with religious and civil leaders in the country and will visit churches and see the church at work.
Dr Williams said that Sri Lanka was in his prayers:
"I'm very much aware of the continuing difficulties being faced by the country and the present situation gives cause for real concern. Sri Lanka is a place in which conflict and violence has become a reflexive response to political difficulty and it is clear that people are suffering greatly. It is a very difficult situation and one which is constantly in our prayers. We trust that the witness of Christians in Sri Lanka will go on helping to provide real grounds for hope"
The Archbishop is visiting in his capacity as Metropolitan of the Church in Ceylon; the dioceses of Colombo and Karungala fall directly under his authority.
Dr Williams' visit next week also includes Malaysia and Singapore.
Notes for editors:
Visit to South East Asia
Dr Williams' visit to the region will begin in Malaysia on Saturday, 5th May, with the consecration and enthronement of the Revd Ng Moon Hing as the fourth Bishop of West Malaysia in St Mary's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur. Whilst in the capital, Dr Williams will hold a meeting with the bishops of the Province as well as meet senior Anglican clergy and heads of the country's other Christian denominations. He will also visit churches and church-based projects elsewhere on the peninsular.
Dr Williams will be in Sri Lanka, from 7-10th: the Archbishop is responsible for oversight of the local Anglican church and the two dioceses of the Church of Ceylon come under his Metropolitical jurisdiction. In Sri Lanka and the Archbishop will lead worship in the Anglican Cathedrals of both Kurunegala and Colombo, hold meetings with clergy and church workers and visit examples of the church's ministries. His visit will include an opportunity to engage with other Church leaders, senior Buddhist representatives and those of other faiths. He will be briefed on the political situation by government, opposition and Tamil representatives as well as civil society leaders. There will be a press conference in Colombo towards the end of his visit.
Dr Williams will then travel to Singapore for a consultation on The Anglican Way, part of the Anglican Communion's work in theological education. He will be joining members of the TEAC working group and others from around the Communion to explore ways of deepening appreciation of what it means to be Anglican and of incorporating this practically in theological formation.
Whilst in Singapore he will deliver a lecture, " Public Religions and the Common Good' in the Anglican Cathedral on Saturday 12th May and preach in the cathedral the following morning.
Dr Williams returns to the UK on Sunday 13th May. Extracts from the Archbishop's programme: Saturday 5th May 3.30pm Consecration service in St Mary's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur Eve Dinner with senior Anglican clergy and ecumenical representatives Sunday 6th May Day Visit to church ministries Eve Dinner with Heads of Churches Monday 7th May Day Travel to Sri Lanka Eve Meet with Clergy and lay workers Kurunegala Tuesday 8th May AM Travel to Kandy; to include visit to Dalada Maligawa - Buddhist Monastery; Trinity College Chapel PM Public meeting Eve Dinner with religious and civil society leaders Wednesday 9th May AM Eucharist in the Anglican Cathedral, Colombo Meetings and consultations Eve Reception hosted by the British High Commissioner Thursday 10th May AM Visit to a Church School Press Conference Public meeting Eve Dinner Friday 11th May Travel to Singapore Eve Anglican Way Consultation Saturday 12th May All day Anglican Way Consultation 1930 Public lecture at St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore: 'Public Religion and the Common Good' Sunday 13th May 0830 Archbishop to preach at Eucharist at St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral, Singapore Return to UK
Media arrangements
The Revd Jonathan Jennings will be accompanying the Archbishop during the visit and can be reached on +44 7801 964644. Calls can also be made to Marie Papworth at Lambeth Palace on +44 207 898 1280. It is hoped that texts and photographs will be made available through the Anglican Communion News Service as the visit progresses.
Arrangements for the Press Conference, currently scheduled for Thursday 10th May in Colombo are still being finalised but will be published and circulated locally as soon as they are to hand.
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