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:
November 2009
The Chief Rabbi - 'every one of us share the same image: God's image'
16 November 2009
Lord Sacks of Aldgate, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Great Britain and the Commonwealth,…
The Archbishop on Inter Faith
7 November 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, visited Burnley to find out more about inter-faith…
October 2009
Archbishop's Diwali message for 2009
17 October 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury today sent his annual message to Hindu communities for the festival of Diwali.
Climate Change Statement 'an important step forward'
15 October 2009
Thirty Christian and Muslim young people spent the day with the Archbishop and scholars to compose a…
September 2009
Archbishop to launch Greater London Presence and Engagement Network
25 September 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury will join the Bishops of Chelmsford, London, Tonbridge and Southwark and…
Archbishop's 2009 Eid message
21 September 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent his greetings to Muslim communities for the…
Archbishop's greetings for the start of the Jewish New Year
18 September 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent his greetings to the Jewish Communities at…
July 2009
Archbishop welcomes Chief Rabbi's peerage
13 July 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has today welcomed the announcement by the House of…
June 2009
Archbishop in Istanbul - 8th Building Bridges Seminar
23 June 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, spent last week in Istanbul chairing the eighth Building…
Post Secular Politics? Inter Faith Relations and Civic Practice
4 June 2009
The Lambeth Inter Faith Lecture was delivered by Luke Bretherton, Senior Lecturer in Theology & Politics…