Inter Faith
The Archbishop of Canterbury is widely respected as a leading advocate and proponent of dialogue between the different faiths. His inter Faith 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
Archbishop Rowan Williams and Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks
This potential is heightened when communities of faith understand each other and work together on inter Faith 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. Within this he is helping to stimulate intellectual debate between the religions and between the religious world and wider society.
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.
By supporting this 'Presence and Engagement' programme, the Archbishop is helping parishes and dioceses to stay fruitfully present in the midst of other faith communities whilst living out an authentic Christian witness.
The articles below are the most recent examples of that programme in action.
- 23 February 2010
Archbishop in Jerusalem
On 22 February, the third day of his visit to the Holy Land, the Archbishop of Canterbury was received in a series of meetings by the three most senior heads of churches in Jerusalem: His Beatitude Theophilus III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and members of the Holy Synod, His Beatitude Torkom II, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. -
22 February 2010
Archbishop in Jordan
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Bishop in Jerusalem, the Rt Reverend Suheil Dawani, were received by His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan at the culmination of the Archbishop's two day visit to the Kingdom 19-21 February. -
17 February 2010
Archbishop receives inter faith award
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, yesterday received the Woolf Institute of Abrahamic Faiths 'Building Bridges Award'. The award was made in recognition of the Archbishop's 'commitment to addressing contemporary cultural and inter faith issues'. - 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005