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Archbishop of Canterbury Visits South America

Diocesan Press Service. October 2, 1974 [74264]

BOGOTA, Colombia, S.A. -- When the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Arthur Michael Ramsey, left London for his 19-day visit to South America, he never thought that he would be arriving in Colombia on the same plane with Beatriz Allende, daughter of Chile's dead president. A crowd of more than 150 persons cheered both of them but for different reasons.

The Archbishop spent four days in this city visiting the Episcopal Church, leaders of other Christian Churches, and state officials.

An Ecumenical service was celebrated in the Church of St. Alban where the Cardinal, Anibal Munoz Duque, gave Dr. Ramsey the official welcome of the Roman Catholic Church. The Cardinal expressed " great joy" for the visit and pledged to work for Christian Unity.

Dr. Ramsey also visited President Alfonso Lopez Michelsen and described the visit as "very cordial." No official statement was issued by the President's office.

In a visit to CELAM (Latin America Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops) Dr. Ramsey was greeted by Bishop Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Secretary General of the organization. Msgr. Lopez explained the work of CELAM and told the Archbishop that he was sitting in the same place where Pope Paul VI sat when he came to Colombia in 1968.

Dr. Ramsey held up the ring that was given to him by Paul VI and said that this is the only ring that he wears. He added that he treasures the ring for its symbolic meaning.

In a press conference Dr. Ramsey said that one of his purposes in coming to Latin America was to transfer the metropolitical authority of Canterbury over to the dioceses in Chile, Argentina and Paraguay to CASA, the Anglican Council of South America, formed early this year.

His visit coincides with the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Anglican work in the southern part of the continent.

Asked about human rights in Chile, the Archbishop said that "as a Christian leader I am interested in human rights wherever I go." He added that "there are many countries where human rights are violated."

With a good sense of humor he noted that he is retiring because "my office requires that I do two dozen things at the same time."

After his retirement, he said, he is planning to study, give lectures and help the Church " in any way I can but without interfering in Church management. "

He also explained the importance of the work of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission. He said that the Commission faces the difficult task of studying the meaning of authority. Two papers have already been produced, one on the Eucharist and the other on the ministry.

When Dr. Ramsey visited the Church of St. Paul, a small mission of the Episcopal Church in a reconstructed warehouse, he said that that kind of simplicity reminded him of the simplicity of Christ and that it was an inspiration to be there. He rejoiced with the crowd composed mostly of young people for "the privilege of sharing Christ with the world."

On September 20th Dr. Ramsey left Bogota for the remainder of his trip through Chile, Argentina and Brazil. He was accompanied by Mrs. Ramsey; the Rev. John Kirkham, his domestic chaplain; and John Miles, the press officer.

The Archbishop and Mrs. Ramsey were guests of the Rt. Rev. William A. Franklin, Episcopal Bishop of Colombia, and Mrs. Franklin.