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 2010
Archbishop of Canterbury's address to the Zoroastrian community
1 October 2010
During an official visit to the Zoroastrian Centre in Harrow, Dr Williams gave the following address.…
September 2010
Archbishop meets with Pakistan Minister for Minorities Affairs
24 September 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today met with the Pakistan Minister for Minorities…
Changes to Archbishop of Canterbury's personal staff
20 September 2010
Chris Smith, Chief of Staff at Lambeth Palace, today announced some changes to the Archbishop of Canterbury's…
Archbishop's Hopes and Prayers for Rosh Hashanah 2010
9 September 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent a greeting to Jewish Communities at the start…
Archbishop's 2010 Eid message
9 September 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent his annual greetings to Muslim communities…
July 2010
Faith Communities in the 'Big Society'
16 July 2010
Together with the Chief Rabbi and Archbishop of Westminster and leaders of other faiths, the Archbishop…
Archbishop hosted event in support of local encounter between Christians and Muslims
15 July 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, hosted an event at Lambeth Palace which brought together…
May 2010
Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Seminar on Tradition and Modernity
25 May 2010
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will chair the 9th Annual Building Bridges Seminar in…
Archbishop's visit to Dawoodi Bohra Mosque and Jain Temple
7 May 2010
During two days of inter faith visits on 6th and 7th May, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams…
March 2010
Archbishop: Dialogue is a means of 'God-given discovery'
22 March 2010
The Archbishop gave an address at the Christian Muslim Forum Conference of Scholars, held at Lambeth…