The Royal Gallery of the House of Lords 3 January 2000
May I echo the Secretary of State's words and say what a remarkable gathering this is, in this historic and significant place! I know I speak on behalf of all my fellow faith leaders here when I say how grateful we are to the Government for hosting an occasion of this kind. It recognises both the significance of Christianity in shaping the history, landscape, institutions and culture of our land and the increasingly important contribution of other faiths to its life. Indeed, as one of the Christian leaders in this land, I want to say how good it is to be here with my brothers and sisters of other faiths.
For Christians, the Millennium marks a major milestone in a journey that began some 2000 years ago with the birth of Christ. Throughout the world we are celebrating this momentous event, as we enter the third Christian Millennium.
Jesus Christ was, of course, an extraordinary teacher and in many of his parables the theme of hospitality occurs. The Father who welcomes back the prodigal son; or the friend who welcomes someone in need at midnight. But he did not just speak about hospitality, he practised it; whether in feeding thousands by the lakeside, washing his disciples' feet, or sharing the Last Supper with his friends.
Hospitality is central to other faiths too, as I know from my own experience. Overseas I have been the grateful guest in an Arab home in Hebron, and at a Passover celebration in Jerusalem. Here in this country I have been shown great friendship in Synagogues, Mosques and Temples alike.
And hospitality, perhaps, provides us with a major platform for deepening the dialogue among our different faith communities and cultures.
As Bishop Kenneth Cragg, an expert in inter-faith dialogue, says so profoundly in one of his books: 'In order to be hospitable - you have to have a home'.
That is true spiritually as well as materially. The fact that we have religious homes helps to give us both a sense of identity and of belonging. And it is from a secure spiritual base that we can listen to others and show genuine hospitality towards them. This will, I believe, provide one of the most important paths of learning, sharing and co-operating in the days ahead.
But it is not just hospitality that we have in common. As this event shows there are many things which all our faiths value and which we hold dear. Justice, community, the family, respect, care and compassion - all these form the bedrock of a good society and provide a foundation on which we can build together, working with one another.
And that willingness to work in harmony with each other is not something to be treated lightly. Rather it should be nurtured and treasured. The future of humanity in today's global society depends on all people learning to live and work together and the faith communities have a vital role to play within this.
Today's event will, I believe, be seen by future generations as truly historic - a shared moment of hospitality where we met and celebrated both the common values we share and, perhaps, most important of all, our common humanity.
Today we begin a new journey in this land together.
As many of you will know, in preparation for the Millennium the Churches of this land have focused their call to Christians and the nation in terms of what is named 'A New Start'. Central to that call is the Millennium Resolution, which it has been our hope that everyone will be able to share. It is going to be read to us now by children from Hallfield Junior School in Bayswater in the London Borough of Westminster.
Notes for editors
This address was given in the presence of an audience including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Prime Minister. The Archbishop, together with the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, the Chief Rabbi and other leaders from the nine historic faith communities represented in this country, shared an Act of Reflection and Commitment by the Faith Communities of the United Kingdom in the House of Lords at 11.00am.