The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, on Sunday said that world over food security was at risk even as people in other parts of the world led a luxurious life unmindful of it.
Delivering his sermon on ‘Bread of life, hope for all' at St. Peter's Church in Vysarpadi, he said that it was the responsibility of the local communities to remind the rich that hungry people have to be fed.
The Archbishop, who is on a 16-day visit to India from October 9 at the invitation of the Communion of Churches in India, began his south India tour by proceeding straight to St. Thomas Mount Shrine on Saturday night. The previous Archbishop of Canterbury visited Chennai in 1995.
“World over people are suffering from more than one kind of hunger. They are hungry for love, friendship and understanding. Instead of throwing money at people, give them your time and attention. Ask their names. God has given small gifts to each one of us to do miracle. We should welcome them and have generosity to help others,” he said.
Talking to TheHindu , the Archbishop said “the nature of the problem differed from places to places and it is the duty of each community to address it. I have been talking about food security risk for the past few years. In Sudan, we are working in partnership with the World Food Programme.”
Later, he along with the Social Welfare Minister, P. Geetha Jeevan, and the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, inaugurated the three-day art exhibition on ‘Peace and Justice' that had about 18 paintings on display.
The exhibition is organised by the Department of Diaconal Ministry and Department of Communications of Church of South India, Royapettah. The Centre plans to rise about Rs.5 lakh that would go towards welfare of girl child.
On Tuesday, the Archbishop will leave for Vellore. Enroute he will visit Googainallur, a village near Thiruvallur, and address local village community on the theme ‘Mission to rural India'. His agenda also includes a visit to CMC Hospital and Christian Medical College.
