Welby to attend launch of the Anglican Church’s newest province in Chile
The Archbishop of Canterbury will attend the inauguration of the new Anglican Province of Chile in Santiago this weekend, marking the birth of the 40th province of the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Justin Welby will preach and preside at the inauguration service for the Iglesia Anglicana de Chile (Anglican Church of Chile) in Santiago on Sunday 4 November.
Bishop Héctor Zavala Muñoz, more commonly known as Bishop Tito, will become Primate of the new Province when it comes into being on Sunday.
Ahead of the visit, Archbishop Justin Welby said:
“The birth of a new province of the Anglican Communion is moment to rejoice and give thanks and praise to God. It is a hope-filled reminder that God’s vision for the Church is always bigger than we can imagine. As followers of Jesus we are called to be part of this ongoing revolution of love that transforms lives and changes the world through dealing with sin and opening the way to salvation. Especially at a time when there is so much in our world that needs healing, here is a sign that the Spirit of God points towards Jesus in his obedience to the Father.
“The Anglican Communion is a global family of churches, united by the call to worship and obey God as revealed in Jesus Christ. It exists in more than 160 countries from England to Sudan, and Melanesia to Pakistan. This new province – the 40th of the Communion – is a young, vibrant, Spirit-filled Church that has seen huge growth. It is leading people to Christ in Chile and living out His call to serve others. We marvel and delight in the ways that God’s love is being seen through the creativity, passion and faithfulness of Chilean Anglicans. In all this, we give thanks for the visionary leadership of Archbishop Tito.
“It is one of the great joys and privileges of my time as Archbishop to be visiting Chile to be with the Archbishop, bishops, clergy and all the people of this new province this weekend. I am looking forward to it immensely, and I invite Anglicans everywhere to hold the new province, and the whole Anglican Communion, in their prayers at this exciting time.”