Archbishop of Canterbury, July 16, www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2939
Together with the Chief Rabbi and Archbishop of Westminster and leaders of other faiths (including Hinduism and Sikhism), the Archbishop of Canterbury hosted a discussion with the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, and the Minister for Decentralisation, Greg Clark on the government’s new scheme.
In the course of the very constructive and positive discussion which focussed on the government’s approach to the ‘Big Society’, participants shared their optimism about the sense of a ‘new moment’ arising from the government’s willingness to see Church and faith communities as providing a model to be appreciated, rather than as a group to be shaped by government. The approach is one of co-operation rather than co-option.
As one contributor said, “churches and faith communities have a great deal to offer to this society and to the common good. In addition to a vast network of volunteering, they offer the wisdom of tradition and scripture, a lived understanding of community and the rewards of friendship across boundaries. All these are needed in times of uncertainty but perhaps are not always valued as they should be. People of faith want to share these gifts with the wider community and hope the government is also interested in helping us to share what we have to offer for the common good and the widest possible benefit.”