Anglican leader Rowan Williams will travel to the Vatican next week,
Vatican radio reported on Wednesday, following the departure of five
Anglican bishops to the Roman Catholic Church.
Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the
world's Anglicans, is to visit on November 17 for the 50th anniversary
of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the radio
station's documentation service said.
His visit comes after the Roman Catholic Church on Monday
announced that five Church of Anglican bishops were to convert to
Catholicism under a controversial offer from Pope Benedict XVI to accept
Anglicans disgruntled with their church.
A major meeting of Catholic cardinals in the Vatican on
November 19 will also discuss Anglican conversions, as well as sexual
abuse by clergymen.
William met with Benedict last year amid tensions over
the Vatican's offer, which is aimed at Anglicans disaffected by gay
marriage and women priests.
SIC: BT/AUS