The head of the Anglican Church started his 16-day “goodwill mission” to India on Oct. 9 with a visit to the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity (MC) in Kolkata.

Archbishop Rowan Douglas Williams of Canterbury said he visited Kolkata first because Mother Teresa has greatly inspired him. He also wanted to see the children in MC homes especially during Mother Teresa’s birth centenary.

MC superior general Sister Mary Prema welcomed the Anglican archbishop with a garland of blue and white flowers, the colors of the nun’s trademark sari.

Novices sang songs, including the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi. Archbishop Williams lit a candle on Mother Teresa’s tomb and then lauded the dedicated service of her nuns worldwide. He also visited Blessed Mother Teresa’s room.

The archbishop then toured the exhibition of Mother Teresa’s personal belongings including her worn-out sandals, cloth handbag, darned sari, diary, writings and relic of blood.

He also spent an hour at the nearby MC-run Shishu Bhavan (children’s home) where children danced to welcome him.

Sister Prema was among guests invited for a thanksgiving service on Oct. 10 at the Church of North India’s St. Paul’s Cathedral Church to mark the World Day of Prayer for the Millennium Development Goals and the founding of the Protestant diocese of Calcutta in 1814.

In his homily, Archbishop Williams urged people to live their faith to form a community where the vulnerable stay safe and children get an education.

The head of the Anglican Church is scheduled to visit eight other cities during his stay in India.

Source: ucanews.com