New Archbishop urges tolerance in sermon

ROWAN WILLIAMS formally began his tenure as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday with an enthronement sermon urging tolerance.

The new leader of 70 million Anglicans across the globe explained in very personal terms his vision for the future of the church, and why Christians must engage “with passion” in the world of politics.

Dr Williams delivered his enthronement sermon with the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and religious leaders from all over the world listening in the packed, medieval Cathedral in Canterbury.

Dr Williams used his sermon to urge tolerance of differences and cautioned against using any single group in society as a “scapegoat”.

“Once we recognise God’s great secret, that we are all made to be God’s sons and daughters, we can’t avoid the call to see one another differently.

“No one can be written off; no group, no nation, no minority can just be a scapegoat to resolve our fears and uncertainties,” he said.

“And this is what unsettles our loyalties, conservative or liberal, right wing or left, national and international.

“We have to learn to be human alongside all sorts of others, the ones whose company we don’t greatly like, whom we didn’t choose, because Jesus is drawing us together into his place, his company.”

Dr Williams, who has courted controversy with his outspoken views on a range of subjects, said Christians had a duty to engage in the political reality of their society.

More than 2,400 people attended the ceremony.

Outside, the grounds of the cathedral were closed to the public in a tight security operation.

More than 150 anti-war protesters and a handful of evangelical campaigners gathered outside the grounds.

Those opposed to conflict with Iraq blew whistles and waved placards.