Anglican leader says respect for human dignity common ideal of all Indians

(October 25, 2010) Human dignity is at the heart of Christian belief but also an ideal of the Indian nation, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, told 3,000 religious leaders in Bangalore on Friday. “My dignity is secured when my neighbour’s is ensured,” he said at the ecumenical gathering organized by the Church of South India Karnataka Central diocese. “We ought to show human reverence to one another.” Religious groups in India have a responsibility to uphold human dignity, which is an important ideal in the country’s social and political life, the 60-year-old Church leader said. The guest of honour, Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj, praised Christian contributions to the country, especially in the field of education. He said there is hope for the poor wherever a church exists in India. At a reception hosted the previous day by the Catholic archdiocese of Bangalore, Archbishop Williams said that his Church’s relations with the Catholic Church were based on “spiritual ecumenism” which is mutually beneficial. The archbishop arrived in Bangalore after attending Church and related meetings in Delhi, Nagpur and Chennai. In Bangalore, he also met Hindu religious leaders on Oct. 20. Later he told reporters that inter-religious dialogue should take place with respect and mutual understanding to get to the “truth.”