Archbishop OF Cantebury to undertake 16-day visit of India

New Delhi, Oct.8 (ANI): The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will embark on a 16-day visit to India from October 9 to 24, 2010 at the invitation of the Communion of Churches in India.

The Archbishop will travel across several cities in India, including Kolkata, Ranchi, Nagpur, New Delhi, Chennai, Vellore, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram.

During his visit, the Archbishop will visit congregations and development initiatives of the Church of North India, the Church of South India and the Mar Thoma Church. He will meet civic and religious leaders in many places, including a dialogue meeting with Hindu Swamis in Bangalore.

In Nagpur, he will join celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the Church of North India and in Thiruvananthapuram the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Central Kerala, Church of South India.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the Archbishop will also meet Metropolitan Joseph and other members of the Mar Thoma Church.

In New Delhi, Dr Williams will deliver the Chevening Lecture at the British Council entitled "Pluralism and the Dialogue of Religions."

Before leaving London for Kolkata, the Archbishop said: "I look forward greatly to being back in India once more. Family. connections, many friendships and the memory of two inspiring earlier visits mean that India is a special place for me, and I am grateful for the invitation to visit again." (ANI)