The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr George Carey, and the Prince of Wales have both urged closer cooperation between faiths to combat the spread of materialism.

The two leaders were speaking independently but on the same day just before Christmas. Dr Carey made his comments during his first visit to the new Swaminarayan temple in Neasden in London. The Prince of Wales was addressing a collection of businessmen, academics and religious leaders at a private meeting at Wilton Park in Sussex.

The Archbishop recalled his recent declaration that interfaith dialogue was "not an option but a necessity."

"Building on a foundation of our common humanity, our shared spiritual quest and our common longings for peace, acceptance and love, we can speak and act together in a number of ways.

"For instance, we can together stand against the evils of racism; we can together challenge the materialism that threatens to become all enveloping; we can together work for the protection and enhancement of our environment, and we can together bring practical help and support to those who suffer, both in this country and around the world."