Inter Religious
The Archbishop of Canterbury is widely respected as a leading advocate and proponent of dialogue between the different faiths. His inter religious engagement is rooted in a concern for the good of humanity in society and a conviction that religious belief and practice have immense contributions to make to the common good.
This potential is heightened when communities of faith understand each other and work together on inter religious relations or dialogue.
Furthermore both the Church of England and the Churches of the global Anglican Communion are increasingly required to be able to engage with people and communities of other religions around them; and in ways that are consistent with the Church's understanding of its gospel based mission and ministry.
The Archbishop is therefore leading a process of engagement with an increasingly religiously plural English society, as well as with those parts of the world where religious plurality has been normal for centuries.
He has taken forward the Building Bridges Seminars, initiatives begun by his predecessor that bring together Christian and Muslim scholars from across the world and regularly speaks on Christian themes to audiences of different faiths. He has supported frameworks in the UK for dialogue within which greater understanding and mutual respect can develop, such as the Christian Muslim Forum and the further development of the Hindu Christian Forum. He has also formed close relationships with the Chief Rabbi and Jewish communities through the Council of Christians and Jews and in support for events such as the annual Holocaust Memorial Day.
Recent items relating to Inter Religious dialogue are shown below:
October 2008
Archbishop's Diwali message 2008
28 October 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury today sent his annual message to Hindu communities for the festival of Diwali.
Communiqué from A Common Word conference
15 October 2008
At a press conference today, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and His Excellency Dr Ali…
A Common Word and Future Christian-Muslim Engagement
12 October 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today given the opening address, in Emmanuel College,…
Annual General Meeting of Christian Muslim Forum
9 October 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who is the Founding Patron of the Christian Muslim Forum,…
Archbishop's Eid message for 2008
1 October 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent his greetings to Muslim communities for the…
September 2008
Hopes and Prayers at the Start of the Jewish New Year
28 September 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, sent a greeting to Jewish leaders and communities for…
Archbishop of Canterbury meets with Chief Rabbis of Israel
10 September 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, yesterday met with the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Chief…
July 2008
The Relationship between the People and God
28 July 2008
Address from Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth,…
Communique of the Anglican Jewish Commission of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel
23 July 2008
The Anglican Jewish Commission of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel originated…
A Common Word for the Common Good
15 July 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has written a letter of response to Muslim religious…