Archbishop elect to address St Lazarus order

The Archbishop-elect of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams was today preaching in Dublin for the first time since his appointment to the top post in the Church of England was announced.

He is to give the address in Christchurch, Church of Ireland Cathedral at an ecumenical service for the Order of St Lazarus, who are holding a three-day conference in Dublin.

The order’s spiritual protector, his beatitude Gregorios III, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, will also take part in the service.

Cardinal Desmond Connell will be represented at the event by auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Dr Raymond Field.

The Military & Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem dates from the 11th century.

Both international and ecumenical, the order provides humanitarian aid to many countries in the developing world, particularly to leprosy clinics.