India teaches tolerance, says Archbishop of Canterbury

Jabalpur: Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who is on his first official visit to India said, “The Church of South India (CSI) and Church Of North India (CNI) are the sole successors of the church of England here in India”. He was speaking to journalists in Jabalpur on Saturday.

“The only successors of Anglican churches in India are CNI and CSI. If anyone else is claiming to be successors, well, I am afraid is not telling the truth. They are committed to service. It is fully indigenous Indian church”, Welby said.

“There is no hangover of imperialism and it is a family of churches. I come to India because India is such an ancient civilization, much older than Europe and has set an example of tolerance and respect for different faiths, while observing a passionate royalty to their own faith…and to learn from that example of living together is something that we need to learn in the UK and in Europe, where we have struggled. We lacked ideas on how to live together”, Welby added.

Replying to questions by the media who said many claim that they are real property owners of churches in India, Welby said, “The properties were transferred to CSI and CNI from the Anglican churches in the year 1947 and 1970”.

“So far in our journey, we have visited Church of South India (CSI) and Mar Thoma church. After we complete our Jabalpur trip, we will go to Kolkata and Amritsar to visit CNI churches there,” Welby said. The Christ Church Schools in Jabalpur completed its 150th year and the Christ Church cathedral is also completing 175 years. He extended his wishes and took part in the celebrations.