The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, is to pay a pastoral visit to the Middle East at the end of this month. The long-planned trip will take in Bahrain and Qatar, both of which have established Christian communities. The Archbishop is making this visit in response to an invitation issued last year by the Rt Revd Clive Handford, Anglican Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf.

The Archbishop will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs Eileen Carey. Also travelling are the Archbishop's Officer for the Anglican Communion, Canon Herman Browne, and the Archbishop's Press Secretary, the Revd Jonathan Jennings.

In Bahrain, the Archbishop will visit St Christopher's Anglican Cathedral and lead a service of Confirmation; he will visit the church in Awali and attend worship in St Christopher's church in Isa Town. He will spend time at St Christopher's school and meet with leaders of the Bahrain British Business Forum. He will also deliver a lecture at the Beit Al Qur'an, an Islamic cultural centre with a large library and exhibition centre.

In Qatar, the Archbishop will lead worship in the English Language school, used by the Christian community in Doha. As well as meeting local Muslim scholars, he will attend an ecumenical gathering of clergy and meet with the British Business Forum in Doha.

The Archbishop will return to the UK on 6 November.