07/04/2016
An 80-strong Mother’s Union choir greeted the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, as he arrived in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, on Tuesday for a meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council’s standing committee ahead of the start, on Friday, of ACC-16.
The Archbishop of the Province of Central Africa, the Most Revd Albert Chama, was at the airport to greet Archbishop Welby as he stepped down from the aeroplane. Also there to greet him at the steps of the aircraft was the Bishop of Lusaka, the Rt Revd David Njovu; and the acting provincial secretary, the Bishop of Eastern Zambia, the Rt Revd William Mchombo.
Archbishop Justin said that it was “a great honour to be welcomed so hospitably, as is always the case in Zambia”.
He explained that this, the 16th meeting of the ACC, was a “very, very big event” because ACC meetings only happen every three years; and that it was “a very important event because [the ACC] is the only body within the Anglican Communion where not only bishops and clergy but also lay people are centrally involved with principle influence in setting direction and encouraging what we do”.
He said that the ACC was gathering in Zambia at a time and in a world “where our diversity leads us so often to conflict. . . My prayer is that as we come to one of those countries in Africa which has been effective in its peaceful development under its leadership over the years – this is a country that has been peaceful and dealt with diversity peacefully and with respect – that the ACC can take that theme and live out the unity of the Church in Christ – disagreeing, doubtless, on many things; but centrally focused on the person and the love and the call of Jesus Christ to discipleship and obedience to him.”
