Politics should concern all Christians, says Archbishop

Politics, the environment and inter-faith relations are serious issues in today's Wales which should concern all Christians, the Archbishop of Wales said on Wednesday.

In his address to members of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, Dr Barry Morgan said Christians had a vital contribution to make to the life of the nation beyond religious matters.

He called on them to take a lead in issues crucial to the nation's wellbeing.

"The Gospel we proclaim has relevance to every aspect of our lives or else we are not preaching it properly. The fact of the matter is that the Church In Wales is concerned about every aspect of life in Wales and has a worshipping congregation and building in virtually every single community in Wales."

Dr Morgan said the bishops had responded to the Welsh Assembly's One Wales document and as a result were developing productive relationships with Cabinet Ministers. He welcomed the setting up of the All Wales Convention to examine whether there was sufficient support for a Referendum on full primary legislative powers by 2011.

"Devolved Government brings with it both accessibility and the ability to tackle issues in devolved fields in a way that is relevant and pertinent to Wales. In other words, it gives Welsh solutions to Welsh problems

"We, as Bishops, share the ambition to transform Wales into a self confident, prosperous, healthy nation and society which is fair to all. The aims of the Convention ought to be of concern to every member of the Church In Wales and indeed to every Welsh citizen and I hope that we will engage positively with the process."

He described climate change as "one of the greatest problems of our world" and said addressing it was a challenge for the whole church. He outlined measures the Church in Wales is taking to reduce its carbon footprint, including the production of a Green Guide for Parishes.

"For the sake of God, the planet and humanity, we must, all of us, take whatever steps we can."

Dr Morgan referred to the recent publication of the Faith in Wales report which showed that faith communities contribute £100m a year to the Welsh economy, largely through voluntary work.

"The ethos exists of encouraging people to serve civil society as individual Christians through their businesses, jobs, families and neighbours."

Good relationships among faith communities in Wales, through the Faith Communities Forum, set up by First Minister Rhodri Morgan, and the Interfaith Council in Wales, also play a major role in creating a mature society, said Dr Morgan.

"The faith communities of Wales are contributing to the general wellbeing and health of Wales and by so doing enabling the Government to see that we have a vital contribution to make to the life of our nation."