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:
June 2008
Archbishop - Christian-Muslim engagement 'for the sake of peace in our common home'
3 June 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday convened an ecumenical gathering to discuss ways in which Christian-Muslim…
May 2008
Archbishop welcomes His Holiness, the Dalai Lama to Lambeth Palace for meeting of Faith Leaders
23 May 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Lambeth Palace…
Archbishop's Reflections on the 7th Building Bridges Seminar
9 May 2008
This is a unique annual series which brings together a range of internationally recognised Christian…
Archbishop to convene the 7th Building Bridges seminar in Rome
2 May 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to convene the 7th Building Bridges Seminar in Rome…
April 2008
Archbishop Hosts Annual Inter Faith Lecture
11 April 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams hosted the annual Lambeth Inter Faith lecture.
February 2008
'What Difference Does it Make?' - The Gospel in Contemporary Culture
20 February 2008
A lecture by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, held in Great St Mary's Church, Cambridge,…
'Sharia law' - What did the Archbishop actually say?
8 February 2008
There has been a strong reaction in the media and elsewhere to the Archbishop of Canterbury's remarks…
Archbishop's lecture - Civil and Religious Law in England: a religious perspective
7 February 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams delivers the foundation lecture in the Temple Festival…
Civil and Religious Law in England lecture - Question and Answer session
7 February 2008
Transcript of the question and answer session following the Archbishop's lecture at the Royal Courts…
Archbishop on Radio 4 World at One - UK law needs to find accommodation with religious law codes
7 February 2008
An interview with Christopher Landau of the BBC Radio 4 'World at One' programme, on the Temple lecture…