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 2005
Faith leaders G8 appeal to Prime Minister
29 June 2005
Senior religious leaders from three faiths - Christianity, Judaism and Islam - have come together to…
May 2005
'Building Bridges' conference concludes in Sarajevo
19 May 2005
The fourth Building Bridges conference - which brings together Muslim and Christian scholars from around…
Sarajevo: Archbishop's praise for progress towards reconciliation
18 May 2005
At the conclusion of the 4th Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Dialogue, the Archbishop of Canterbury,…
Christianity, Islam and the Challenge of Poverty - Archbishop calls for co-operation on global poverty
18 May 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said Christian and Muslim leaders should work together…
Archbishop's Christian-Muslim initiative continues in Sarajevo - further details
12 May 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will travel to Sarajevo this weekend to convene the…
Archbishop's Christian-Muslim initiative continues in Sarajevo
3 May 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to convene the fourth 'Building Bridges' seminar…
January 2005
Statement on Holocaust Memorial Day 2005
27 January 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued a statement to mark National Holocaust Day.
October 2004
Archbishop Welcomes New CCJ Co-President
14 October 2004
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has welcomed the announcement from the Council of Christians…
September 2004
Archbishop's address at al-Azhar al-Sharif, Cairo
11 September 2004
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams - speaking in Egypt at one of Sunni Islam's most revered…
Dr Williams to Visit Egypt
9 September 2004
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will make a brief visit to Cairo this weekend.