ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY VISITS PRIME MINISTER LILO

Archbishop of Canterbury the Most Reverend Justin Welby today made a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

During the brief meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed Welby expressing his deepest appreciation to have him in the country.

Mr Lilo says the Archbishop’s visit was timely as the country has been through a tough year.

A government statement today quoted Mr Lilo as saying the country is privileged to have the Archbishop, adding that his visit is timely as 2014 has been quiet a tough year with the April floods that hit the country in recent months.

Prime Minister Lilo also informed the Archbishop of the country’s upcoming general elections later this year.

Meanwhile, the Most Reverend Welby says he was honoured to be here in the country.

He says he is grateful to be here in the beautiful country and to see the lovely people and islands.

The Archbishop also expressed his admiration to the Prime Minister for opening up the country’s office in Cuba, saying he is particularly impressed when Solomon Islands sends its student doctors to Cuba as it has some of the world’s best and professional medical facilities.

The Most Reverend Welby was also keen to know the development, economy and trade aspects of the country.

Before leaving the Prime Minister’s office today, Archbishop Welby made a prayer dedicating the country, its people and the Government to God as well as a prayer for Solomon Islands as it prepares for the national general elections.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury.