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 2009
Presence and Engagement Sermon
1 June 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a sermon at St Mary's Church, Cable Street, to mark the Presence and…
The Archbishop's Response to the Presence and Engagement Study Day, with Q&As
1 June 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury responded to Dr Luke Bretherton's paper and to issues raised during the…
February 2009
Christian Muslim Forum - Faith in Finance seminar at St Ethelburga's centre for Reconciliation and Peace
24 February 2009
The Chairs, Dr Musharraf Hussain and the Rt Revd Richard Cheetham, asked Archbishop Rowan to respond…
First Inter Parliamentary Conference on anti-Semitism reception held at Lambeth Palace
19 February 2009
On behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, The Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of…
Archbishop - We have to spread the good news of what is done
12 February 2009
The Archbishop on Inter Faith - Presence and Engagement, General Synod, London.
January 2009
Archbishop welcomes 'Faiths Working Together' Fund
30 January 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury has today welcomed the launch of the 'Faiths Working Together' Fund for…
How does God reveal himself? A Christian Perspective
29 January 2009
Lecture given by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the World Islamic Call Society Campus, Tripoli, Libya.
Archbishop's Libya visit in pictures
28 January 2009
As part of a visit to North Africa, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd & Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams…
Archbishop's visit to North Africa
28 January 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will visit North Africa from Wednesday 28th January…
Holocaust Memorial Day 2009 Video
27 January 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield,…