Anglican Communion News Service

Archbishop Rowan Williams arrived on Tuesday morning in Lusaka, Zambia, for the final stage of his visit to the Church of the Province of Central Africa. Dr Williams was accompanied by the Archbishop of Central Africa, the Most Revd Albert Chama and the Bishop of Lusaka and Presiding Bishop of the Zambian Anglican Council, the Rt Revd David Njovu.

After being garlanded at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the Dr Williams told the assembled journalists that Zambia had a strong Christian heritage from the beginning of Independence, and the nation was founded on Christian values of peace, justice and democratic rights for all.

He was then taken to State House to meet with the newly elected President Michael Sata where he congratulated him on his recent election victory and took the opportunity to reflect on the role of the Anglican Church in Zambia in speaking out for the poor and promoting community development at grass roots level.

Dr Williams also expressed his appreciation at the commitment of President Sata to fair taxation and good practice in the rebuilding and strengthening of the Zambian economy.

Next stop was a meeting with Dr Kenneth Kaunda, founding father of the nation. Speaking about the Anglican Church in Zambia, Dr Kaunda said: “We live in a world of competing interests, a world that desperately needs spiritual guidance and healing so that we can live in peace as brothers and sisters irrespective of race, colour, tribe or even faith”.

He went on to say:

“In my humble view, the Anglican Church has played an important role fulfilling our shared objective to live in peace and harmony in this our one world”.

The Archbishop also visited the Cathedral of the Holy Cross where he was entertained by the Mothers’ Union choir and the Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades and caught up with ecumenical friends based in Lusaka, before heading off to the Copperbelt.

Related News Entries

• Archbishops meet with Zimbabwean Prime Minister (October 11, 2011)
• Archbishops' meet Zimbabwean President (October 10, 2011)
• Archbishop of Canterbury's sermon to the Anglicans in Zimbabwe (October 9, 2011)
• The Archbishop of Canterbury and the President of Malawi discuss church agriculture projects (October 7, 2011)