Archbishop Justin with Archbishop Armando Guerra Soria and local clergy, St James Cathedral, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Sunday 11 August 2013. (Picture: Sergio Martin)

[Lambeth Palace press release] Archbishop Justin has told Anglicans in Guatemala that faith in Jesus Christ offers “an immense resource in transforming our societies”.

Speaking during a two-day visit to the country, the Archbishop said being disciples of Jesus helps Christians to overcome violence, and to “heal memories and unjust relationships”.

Arriving in Guatemala City yesterday, Archbishop Justin said he was “honoured” to have been invited by the Most Revd Armando Guerra, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Central American Region and Bishop of Guatemala.

“I very much look forward to sharing fellowship with him and with the bishops, clergy and people of Iglesia Anglicana de la  Region Central de America,” he said.

During the visit the Archbishop preached at St James Cathedral in Guatemala City and met representatives from across the diocese and the Central American region. He also saw examples of local Anglican work in education and women’s empowerment.

The Archbishop arrived in Barbados last Thursday for a week-long visit to the region, which will conclude with two days in Mexico later this week. The trip is part of a series of visits to Anglican Primates which Archbishop Justin is making during his first eighteen months in post.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to see the love of Jesus Christ in action in the life of the church,” he said. “I thank God for the church’s committed mission and service here in Guatemala and pray that it may continue to be an agent of God’s healing and reconciliation for the whole country.

“Our faith in Jesus Christ offers an immense resource in transforming our societies, for the overcoming of violence and for the healing of memories and of unjust relationships. I give special thanks for the efforts being made to overcome gender violence and to encourage the international community to take its commitments seriously. We shall continue to make addressing gender-based violence a priority in our life as the Anglican Communion.”