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:
January 2009
Archbishop's Holocaust Memorial Day statement - 'Rediscover the depths of real humanity'
27 January 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called for people to 'Rediscover the depths of real…
Archbishop gives support to 2008 Faith in Human Rights Statement
7 January 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has given his support to the 2008 Faith in Human Rights…
November 2008
Birmingham Diocese visit
17 November 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams visited Birmingham and the Black Country on 15th and…
Archbishop's address to Faith Leaders in Birmingham
16 November 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury's address to Faith Leaders at Birmingham Council House, during his visit…
Archbishop's visit to the Venkataswara (Balaji) Temple
15 November 2008
The Archbishop visited the Venkataswara (Balaji) Temple, in the Diocese of Lichfield, where unveiledl…
Auschwitz-Birkenau
13 November 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, have marked…
Reflections on Auschwitz - Birkenau
13 November 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks reflected on…
UK Faith leaders join students on visit to former Nazi death camp in Poland
12 November 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams with the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks, has invited…
Archbishop to visit Birmingham diocese
12 November 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams is visiting the diocese of Birmingham on 15th and 16th…
October 2008
The Archbishop in conversation with Professor Mona Siddiqui
29 October 2008
An interactive conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and Professor Mona Siddiqui.