2006 speeches archive

December 2006

18 December 2006
O Little Town of Bethlehem - A Pause For Thought
The Archbishop appeared on Pause for Thought on Terry Wogan's BBC Radio 2 show on 18th December 2006, prior to making a Christmas journey to the Holy Land.

November 2006

23 November 2006
Rome Lecture: 'Secularism, Faith and Freedom'
This major address, on the past and future place of religion in western society and the deficiencies of the secular world view, was given at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in Rome on 23rd November, 2006.

23 November 2006
Rome - Archbishop's Greeting to Pope Benedict
The following is the text of the greeting given to Pope Benedict by the Archbishop of Canterbury when he visited Rome, on 23rd November 2006, the Feast of St. Clement.

21 November 2006
'Benedict and the Future of Europe' - Speech at St Anselmo in Rome
The following is the text of an address given by the Archbishop at St Anselmo, a Benedictine institution, in Rome on 21st November, 2006. In it, the Archbishop says that modern civilisation needs to rediscover a proper sense of time, authority and participation if it is to renew its sense of purpose and enable communities to cope with modern pressures. He draws on the 6th-century rule of St. Benedict to illustrate how societies might consider they served that common purpose.

October 2006

13 October 2006
China - 'What is a University?' Speech Given in Wuhan
The Archbishop gave the following address at Wuhan University, China, on Friday 13th October 2006. In his address, he explores how the roots of the university system lie in the desire to nourish spiritual and moral maturity, as well as intellectual skill. He argues that this provides a continuing model for universities contribute to ongoing debates on the moral dimensions of public life both in China and in the West.

September 2006

11 September 2006
9/11 Five Years On - Thought for the Day
The following is the transcript of the Archbishop's Thought for the Day, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the morning of 11th September 2006. In it, he reflects on the experience of being in New York during the events of September 11th 2001 and the lessons we can all learn about our relationships with each other, as 'mortal beings who have immortal value'.

July 2006

17 July 2006
Speech on Penal Policy - Worcester Cathedral
The Archbishop gave the following address on penal policy on Monday 17th July 2006 at Worcester Cathedral to an audience of diocesan clergy and visitors from the prison and probation services. In his address, the Archbishop speaks of his concerns about overcrowding, re-offending rates, suicide and self harm by prisoners, and of the threats to building a just and trustworthy society posed by political interference and the increasing role of the private sector in managing the penal system.

10 July 2006
Women in the Episcopate - General Synod Debate
The Archbishop gave the following opening and closing speeches when moving item 14 at the July session of the Church of England's General Synod - on Women in the Episcopate.

08 July 2006
Speech to General Synod on Women Bishops
The Archbishop made a contribution to a debate on women in the Episcopate, discussing the implications on ecumenical relations, especially in relation to the Anglican/Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC)

07 July 2006
Archbishop's Address to the Synod
The Archbishop gave the Presidential Address to the General Synod of England, at the York group of Sessions. In his address, the Archbishop discusses the possible consequences of the Anglican Communion fragmenting, and his own reasons for wanting it to remain unified.

June 2006

27 June 2006
The Challenge and Hope of Being an Anglican Today: A Reflection for the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Anglican Communion
The Archbishop sets out his thinking on the future of the Anglican Communion in the wake of the deliberations in the United States on the Windsor Report and the Anglican Communion at the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (USA).

May 2006

04 May 2006
Climate Change- a Moral Issue. Address to the Tyndall Centre
The Archbishop was invited to address members of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the launch of Phase II of their research project. The address, at 4 Millbank, London, outlined the Archbishop's views on the moral necessity for action over the environment, to prevent further harm to those living with the worst effects of climate change, and to all future generations.

April 2006

16 April 2006
Intense Activity Elsewhere: Good Friday Thought for the Day, Radio 4
The Archbishop's Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4 on Good Friday deals with themes of contemplation and "worship worth the name, a space for the heart to grow into."

11 April 2006
Easter Surgery - Pause for Thought with Terry Wogan, BBC Radio 2
The Archbishop talked about preparing for Easter and operations when he appeared in the 'Pause for Thought' slot on Terry Wogan's 'Wake Up to Wogan' Radio 2 show.

05 April 2006
The Church: God's Pilot Project
This wide-ranging address on Church mission and values was given to the Clergy Synod at Chelmsford. In it the Archbishop sets out what it means for the Church to be God's 'Pilot Project for the Human Race'. He says: "Our job as those who are called to be pastors and teachers and animators in Church, is to try to make sure that the Church goes on being a landscape for that kind of humanity: intimate, transfiguring, trustful, in communion, a pilot project for the human race, a project worth joining because it leads into a bigger, not a smaller, world."

March 2006

28 March 2006
Justice and Rights - Fifth Building Bridges Seminar, Opening Remarks.
This speech, given at Healy Hall, Georgetown University, Washington DC, marked the start of the 5th Building Bridges Seminar. It set out the themes of the 5th seminar- justice and rights in the Christian and Muslim traditions.

14 March 2006
Church Schools: a National Vision
The following keynote address was given to the 2006 National Anglican Schools Conference at the QE2 Centre, London. In it, the Archbishop defends faith schools against their detractors and sets our positive plans for progress.

February 2006

27 February 2006
Contribution given at the Sudan Inter-Religious Council
The Archbishop visited southern Sudan, to offer support to Christian communities and to those projects relieving the suffering of the Sudanese, especially those displaced by conflict in the north.

18 February 2006
World Council of Churches Assembly - Globalisation, Economics and Environment
At the World Council of Churches Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the Archbishop made the following contributions to a public 'Bate Papo' (an informal conversation), with delegate Peggy Mekel of Indonesia.

17 February 2006
What We Mean By Christian Identity - World Council of Churches Address
The Archbishop of Canterbury addressed the 9th meeting of the World Council of Churches in Porto Alegre, Brazil. In his speech on 'Christian Identity and Religious Plurality', the Archbishop outlines what it means to identify oneself as a Christian.

09 February 2006
Speeches to General Synod on Women Bishops
The Archbishop made two contributions to the Synod debate on the House of Bishops' findings on women bishops. He sets out the need for continued "careful, thoughtful mindful progression" towards a resolution.

08 February 2006
Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade - Speech to General Synod
The Archbishop made the following contribution during the General Synod debate on commemorations for the bicentenary of the 1807 Act to abolish the transatlantic slave trade. He sets out the reasons why an apology from the Church of England is necessary.

07 February 2006
General Synod Women Bishops' Debate - Archbishop's Contributions
The General Synod of the Church of England debated a report from the House of Bishops 'Women Bishops Group', chaired by the Bishop of Guildford. The Archbishop of Canterbury made the following intervention:

07 February 2006
Mansion House Speech : Antidote to Blasphemy v. Free Speech Arguments is Respect and Civility
This speech, at a dinner given by the Lord Mayor of London for the Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England at the Mansion House, followed the press coverage of Muslim protests about cartoons that had been published in a Danish newspaper.

04 February 2006
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Memorial, Poland - Archbishop's Speech
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor, was imprisoned and executed for his opposition to the Nazi regime. This speech at the Bonhoeffer Memorial in Wroclaw, Poland, examines the enduring legacy of Bonhoeffer in the centenary year of his birth.

January 2006

24 January 2006
Inaugural Meeting of the Christian-Muslim Forum: Archbishop's Speech
Lambeth Palace hosted a reception to mark the inaugural meeting of the Christian-Muslim Forum. Welcoming members and guests including the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, the Archbishop spoke of the importance of inter Faith dialogue.