Archbishop of Canterbury to arrive India Saturday

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams' visit to India was today confirmed by the British High Commission in New Delhi.

Dr Williams will embark on a 16 day visit to India from October 9th to 24th October 2010 at the invitation of the Communion of Churches in India, stated a release.

The Archbishop is slated to 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 also meet civic and religious leaders in many places, including a dialogue meeting with Hindu leaders in Bangalore.

The release informed that the Archbishop would be in Nagpur to 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 New Delhi, Dr Williams will deliver the Chevening Lecture at the British Council entitled "Pluralism and the Dialogue of Religions".

"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," said the Archbishop before leaving London for Kolkata.

Dr Williams is the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the spiritual head of the 77-million-member Anglican Communion worldwide.

He is acknowledged internationally as an outstanding theological writer, scholar and teacher. He has been involved in many theological, ecumenical and educational commissions. He has written extensively across a very wide range of related fields of professional study – philosophy, theology, spirituality and religious aesthetics.