Violence against Christians has helped Churches understand the need of unity, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, told a meeting.“Sustained violence against Christians in India has helped different denominations to bridge differences and heed the Good Shepherd’s voice,” the head of the world-wide Anglican communion said during the conclusion of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Church of North India (CNI) on Oct. 14.
Some 1,200 delegates from 27 CNI dioceses attended the jubilee at the Church’s birthplace in Nagpur, central India.
The CNI was formed as a union of Protestant Churches in northern India after Anglican Churches in India delared themselves independent in 1970.
Although independent, the CNI and its counterpart the Church of South India (CSI) both consider the archbishop as their titular and spiritual head.
The archbishop began his 16-day “goodwill mission” to India on Oct. 9, visiting cities such as Kolkata and Ranchi before reaching Nagpur.
“I expect the Churches to work together to reach out to the millions of the Indian poor, who need immediate attention,” he said.
He added that unity among India’s Churches can help form a strong Church. It will also help shed its image in India as a foreign entity resulting from the British colonial rule.
SIC: CTH/INDIA