Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby, will visit Chichester today (From The Argus)

Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev Justin Welby, will visit Chichester today

10:47am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter

The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit Sussex to take part in the final part of his pilgrimage around five English cities before his enthronement as leader of the Church of England.

The Most Rev Justin Welby will miss the inauguration of Pope Francis in Rome to join a "journey in prayer" in Chichester.

In the past six days, the Archbishop has visited four other cities and six cathedrals, starting in Norwich and taking in Coventry, London and Truro.

Today he will address a crowd in Market Cross, Chichester, before offering a prayer and an invitation for people to walk alongside him to the city's 900-year-old cathedral.

It will mark his final "journey in prayer" around five English cities before he is enthroned as leader of the Anglican Church at Canterbury Cathedral on Thursday.

The Dean of Chichester, Nicholas Frayling, said: "People come in their hundreds to say their prayers here every day of the year.

"I hope Archbishop Justin's visit will bring many more on Tuesday to experience the different methods of prayer that will be on offer, or perhaps just to drop in out of curiosity.

"It will be a fascinating and very moving day."

Spiritual role

The Bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner, said: "It will be a great privilege to welcome the Archbishop to Chichester and to join him in prayer.

"I hope many people across the county will join with us on this historic day in the life of the diocese."

Lambeth Palace has said the pilgrimage was aimed at highlighting the spiritual role of the Archbishop and the importance of prayer in Christian life.

The Archbishop has led similar pilgrimages before becoming Bishop of Durham, his last role, and in his previous post of Dean of Liverpool.

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