Roles & Responsibilities
- Overview
- Diocese of Canterbury
- Church of England
- Anglican Communion
- Ecumenical Relationships
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Inter Faith »
- Building Bridges Seminars
- Faith Communities in the 'Big Society'
- Archbishop hosted event in support of local encounter between Christians and Muslims
- Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Seminar on Tradition and Modernity
- Archbishop: Dialogue is a means of 'God-given discovery'
- Archbishop in Jerusalem
- Archbishop in Jordan
- Archbishop receives inter faith award
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- Lambeth Palace
- Archbishop as Patron
- Archbishop's Awards
- The Archbishop's Examination in Theology
- House of Lords
- The Archbishops from Augustine to Williams
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.
- Building Bridges Seminars
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16 July 2010
Faith Communities in the 'Big Society'
Together with the Chief Rabbi and Archbishop of Westminster and leaders of other faiths, the Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday hosted a discussion with the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, and the Minister for Decentralisation, Greg Clark on the government's new scheme. -
15 July 2010
Archbishop hosted event in support of local encounter between Christians and Muslims
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, hosted an event at Lambeth Palace which brought together 50 imams and clergy from 25 local areas to encourage and strengthen local inter faith relationships. -
24 May 2010
Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Seminar on Tradition and Modernity
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will chair the 9th Annual Building Bridges Seminar in Washington DC from May 25-27, 2010. Since 2002, the Archbishop of Canterbury has chaired the annual seminar, which brings together leading Muslim and Christian scholars from around the world to explore issues at the heart of the two traditions. -
22 March 2010
Archbishop: Dialogue is a means of 'God-given discovery'
The Archbishop gave an address at the Christian Muslim Forum Conference of Scholars, held at Lambeth Palace. As founder patron of the organisation, the Archbishop talked with other Christian and Muslim scholars about whether dialogue can really deal with religious differences without avoidance or compromise. Other speakers included Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad, Maulana Yunus Mohammed and Dr John Azumah. - 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