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 2011
Archbishop meets with Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference
14 June 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, met this morning with the Secretary General of the Organisation…
Archbishop hosts Annual Lambeth Inter Faith Lecture
8 June 2011
Professor Malcolm Evans of Bristol University delivered the Annual Lambeth Inter Faith Lecture at Lambeth…
Christian Muslim Youth Forum on Trade Justice
8 June 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, today hosted a Christian Muslim Youth Forum on trade…
May 2011
Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Seminar on Prayer
16 May 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, chaired the 10th Annual Building Bridges Seminar in…
February 2011
Archbishop reflects on dialogue with Indian Swamis
21 February 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, recently met with members of the Hindu community in…
January 2011
Archbishop's Holocaust Memorial Day Statement 2011: Untold Stories
27 January 2011
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued a statement to mark national Holocaust Memorial…
December 2010
Archbishop congratulates students for Mitzvah Day deeds
2 December 2010
As part of the annual meeting of the Presidents of the Council of Christians and Jews, the Archbishop…
November 2010
Archbishop's Diwali message for 2010
5 November 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury today sent his annual message to Hindu communities for the festival of Diwali.
October 2010
The Hindu interview: Dialogue for me is recognition of the serious
18 October 2010
The hour-long interview was given to P. Jacob, Senior Associate Editor of The Hindu, at the CSI Centre…
Archbishop makes first official visit to a Zoroastrian place of worship
1 October 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has visited the Zoroastrian Centre in Harrow, the first…