Archbishop Justin Welby with Anglican bishops in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 4 Sept 2014.

[Lambeth Palace press release] The Archbishop of Canterbury today concluded a four-day visit to Anglicans in Brazil and Chile, part of his series of visits to Anglican primates worldwide.

Archbishop Justin Welby and his wife, Caroline, spent two days visiting the primate of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil, Bishop Francisco de Assis da Silva, before flying to Chile to visit the Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone, Bishop Tito Zavala.

The Archbishop is visiting all his fellow primates around the Anglican Communion during his first 18 months in office.

In Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Archbishop met and prayed with local bishops, clergy and lay people. He also preached at Most Holy Trinity Parish, reflecting on the theme of his visit – ‘I am the vine… if you remain in me you will bear much fruit.’ (John 15.5).

Archbishop Justin meets with young people in Santiago, Chile, 7 Sept 2014.

While in Brazil the Archbishop also addressed local ecumenical leaders about the importance of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue for the Anglican Communion.

In the Chilean capital, Santiago, the Archbishop attended a special service in which the province officially changed its name to the Anglican Church of South America. The service was one of thanksgiving for Allen Gardiner, the man who founded the South American Mission Society and sacrificed his life as one of the continent’s first missionaries.

The Archbishop also attended a special event with Chilean religious, social and political leaders, where he spoke on the role of faith in the development of society, and preached at a parish Sunday morning service in Santiago.

Read more about Archbishop Justin’s primates visits