Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams began a two-week tour of India Oct. 9 from Kolkata with a visit to the tomb of Blessed Mother Teresa and her nuns in the eastern city.The head of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion also spoke with the nuns in the headquarters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity based in Kolkata.
At an interaction at St John’s Diocesan Girls’ High School later in the evening he spoke about several issues affecting the nation, including the Ayodhya issues dispute between Hindus and Muslims.
Archbishop Williams, the highest-ranking non-royal in the United Kingdom and a member of the House of Lords said he followed with great interest the discussion on Ayodhya issue and the recent court decision.
“I’m glad to see that the way it was received was very peaceful. It’s a very complicated story but I am relieved that there has been resolution without violence,” the archbishop said.
He said his visit to Kolkata visit marks the beginning of his two-week “mission of goodwill” trip to India for the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Church of North India (CNI). The CNI is part of the Anglican Communion that the archbishop heads.
The archbishop spent half an hour at Mother House and an hour at Shishu Bhavan. “I must say that I am deeply grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to meet you and pay my respects to Mother,” said the Archbishop in his address to the Sisters.
At Shishu Bhavan, he gifted the home for abandoned children a wooden wall-hanging with a picture of The Last Supper and a photograph of himself. “It’s been deeply moving to be here,” he said, allowing the kids to tug at his beard, pinch his nose and play with his Cross.
“The joy that was evident there, I believe, is a response to something very deep in the whole life of this city, not only today but through the ages. Calcutta is known as the City of Joy so it’s very moving to see that joy and love at work,” Archbishop Williams later said.
“He told us he was very happy with our work, with what we are doing for the children. It was a great honour and privilege to have him here,” said Sister Prema of the Missionaries of Charity.
SIC: CTH/INDIA