Charles, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall Part II

[palimpsest]

Prince urges respect among faiths

The prince and duchess are on a two-week Middle East tour

Prince Charles has called for greater respect between religions, saying his "heart is heavy from... never-ending death and destruction" in the world.
The prince said the row over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad showed "the danger... of our failure to listen and to respect" others' views.

He was giving a speech at Al-Azhar University in Cairo on a tour of Egypt with the Duchess of Cornwall.

Charles was awarded an honorary degree by the university.

One of the few non-Muslims to have been invited to speak at the university, the prince told 800 Islamic scholars that religious leaders needed to encourage understanding.


HAVE YOUR SAY
Images of communities torn apart by religious conflict are deeply harrowing
Prince Charles


"We must foster, encourage and act upon that which embodies the divine attributes of mercy and compassion," he said.
"That calls for calmness and the exercise of restraint. And, if I may say so, it requires all those who are in positions of authority in our different faiths to preach clearly and consistently to others the eternal values of these divine attributes.

"I look forward to a world in which we share a vision that acknowledges our differences with respect and understanding, that recognises what others hold sacred, and to a world in which we see that we cannot and must not abuse our great traditions and their teachings as a weapon in the service of selfish worldly power."

He added: "The recent ghastly strife and anger over the Danish cartoons shows the danger that comes of our failure to listen and to respect what is precious and sacred to others."

'Bleak'

The prince said fears about growing misunderstanding between the West and Islam that he had more than a decade ago - expressed in a 1993 speech at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies - appeared to have come true.

"For so many, those years have been profoundly bleak. My heart is heavy from witnessing the never-ending death and destruction."

He added: "Images of communities torn apart by religious conflict are deeply harrowing, from Bosnia to Baghdad, from Chechnya to Palestine - evidence of just how far misunderstandings have continued and escalated."

An interview with the prince had earlier been broadcast on Nile TV, in which Charles spoke about similarities between Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

"People who are reasonable and responsible and feel things in the heart need to work even harder and speak up louder about the vital importance of understanding that the three great Abrahamic faiths share an awful lot more in common than perhaps people realise," he said.

The 15-minute television broadcast was pre-recorded at Clarence House before Charles and Camilla left for the official two-week visit to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India.

Mountbatten murder

The prince said he had been given an insight into the effects of terrorism as a young man when he suffered the loss of the great-uncle he also regarded as his mentor in 1979.

Lord Mountbatten was on a fishing trip in the Irish Republic when his boat was blown up by the IRA.

Charles said he has "some understanding... of what people go through with these horrors".

He added: "It seems to me that we have to work even harder."


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/4824734.stm

Published: 2006/03/21 11:56:02 GMT

© BBC MMVI

[Grace]

Charles is correct, in my opinion...and it's a pity far more people prominent on the world's stage haven't had more to say on this issue as well.  

[grandduchessella]

Just as a note of curiosity--he mentioned 'Palestine' in his remarks. Since there isn't a formally recognized state of Palestine--even their UN representative sits with a sign that says Paletinian Authority I believe--did this cause any comment? Or did the fact that he didn't mention Israel as the victim of the terrorism but rather Palestine?

[nelly]

Yes--Gdella, I noticed that too.  Maybe a little oversight?

[grandduchessella]

Maybe, but I'm sure that speech was pretty well gone over before he gave it. Maybe because he was speaking in Egypt and that's a big issue--Palestinian statehood--there and sympathy towards Israelis wouldn't have been as well-received, despite Egypt being one of the few Arab countries with a treaty with Israel. These little things could help make the speech better-received in Egypt, if not perhaps elsewhere.

[Eddie_uk]

I think it would be so much easier if religion was banned all together, it's the cause of sooooo much conflict.

However I can't see that happening, I agree with Prince Charles, more respect and less conflict beteen religions please, especially in these muslim countries.

Oh and also, enough of treating their women like second rate citizens, lets get some equality going on here it's 2006!!!  

[palimpsest]

I disagree strongly with you Eddieboy_uk on religion.
Antireligious intolerance is as bad as religious intolerance.
As a former citizen of an atheistic country I can give witness to that.
We are in 2006, so the time of Marxist based equalitarian ideologies has passed, and I thank God for that!

[Taren]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=412614&in_page_id=1770

A rumor of course. Clarence House hasn't confirmed anything. But suppose it is true. Just how many faiths does he think there are? It's more than 4 or 5. Do scientologists get included? Or Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses or witches? I'm assuming that he'd like Muslims included, but it's against their beliefs to participate in a religious ceremony including faiths other than their own. Whoever's not included will of course be offended.

I see what he's trying to do and showing his tolerance for other beliefs is a lovely thing to do. But he'll be the head of the Church of England. One religion. He's not going to be the head of them all. This all goes along with the "Defender of Faith" thing. If the Pope decided that he was going to be not only the head of the Catholic Church, but all other faiths as well, there would be an uproar. You can still be the head of the Church of England and not persecute those of other faiths. But you can't lead them all either.

[ChristineM]

This is no rumour, Taren.   On a previous occasion, I saw and heard the Prince of Wales say this.

I think his plan is to have two coronations.   One will be along the lines of a traditional, CoE coronation.   At the second, representatives of ALL faiths will be invited to participate.   I have expressed elsewhere my concern about endeavouring to be all things to all 'men'.    It just does not work.  What about the Salvation Army, for example, or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the Russian Orthodox Church?   I wonder if all Christian denominations will be catered for in the 'Christian' ceremony.   If that's so, the coronation will go on for quite a time by the time all of the more fringe Christian branches - The Four Square Pentecostal Church, the Plymouth Brethern fpr example - participate.   

As Taren says, where will the cut off point come with regard to other 'Faiths'....   Bahai?   Zorastrian?   Confuscism?    It is crazy.   Perhaps this is perceived as 'progress'.   I think it is much more likely to be interpreted as 'patronising'.

It is impossible to cater for every belief.   Inevitably there will be some individual or organisation overlooked and therefore offended. 

If it ain't broke, don't mend it.   Charles would be best advised to stick with what, for centuries, has served the indiginous population of the UK - a population of a variety of colours and creeds.

tsaria   

 

[CHRISinUSA]

The title "Defender of the Faith" was originally a papal title, granted on October 17, 1521 by Pope Leo X to King Henry VIII of England.  (Some other major Catholic Kingdoms have obtained similar pious titles, such as Most Catholic Majesty or Apostolic King).  The title was then in recognition of Henry's book Assertio Septem Sacramentorum (Defence of the Seven Sacraments), which defended the sacramental nature of marriage and the supremacy of the Pope.   

When the British Crown broke with Rome and established the Church of England, the title was revoked by Pope Paul III.  However, the English parliament conferred the title in 1544 on Edward VI and his successors as head of the Church of England.  So, the title is a Parliament granted one, and only Parliament may alter it. 

I'm a bit confused about the role of the commonwealth governments in this matter of title.  All - except Canada - have already dropped the phrase "Defender of the Faith" from their official styles for the monarch, so I can't imagine they'd have any say in the matter.  But perhaps there was a clause in some treaty which requires commonwealth approval of anything affecting the title of the monarch..?..

[boffer]

Could he not have the traditional ceremony and then, another blessing of some sort - on the similar lines to the Delhi Durbar in 1911?

[Grace]

I'm thinking along these lines, too, Boffer.  Surely a small insertion into the traditional coronation service that he respects those of other faiths and their beliefs is all that is needed.  Otherwise, he is making a gigantic mistake, in my opinion, both for himself and his successors.  He will be busy enough trying to gain even part of the measure of respect and confidence his mother held, without  deciding to change something as serious as the christian faith the monarchy has upheld until now.   

I've never heard of an heir making public what he intends to do once he ascends the throne, the way Charles is.  Perhaps he was testing the waters and didn't mean this to become public at this time, but it seems disrespectful to the Queen, to be planning what he's going to do once she's gone.

[boffer]

Apparently since January 2002 there has been a committee that meets occassionally to plan the next coronation; i quote from Brian Hoey - At hom with the Queen -

"They even have a commitee which is preparing for the next coronation. In January 2002, it met for the first time when among those present were the Earl of Arundel (representing his father the Duke of Norfolk, who will have overall responsibility for the arrangements when the time comes), the Lord Chamberlain and the Comptoller of the Lord Camberlain's Offive, who will look after the details of the ceremonial side. they came up with a revolutionary plan to scale down the ceremony (which they believe will take place some time between 2012-20) and, working on the assumption that Prince Charles will become the next sovereign, agreed that he will not be asked to wear the elaborate robes of previous kings and Queens. Instead, as an Admiral of the Fleet, he will wear his full dress uniform, though he will be crowned with St Edwards Crown. And by the time of the corronation it is highly unlikely that the Gold State Coach will still be fit for use so one of the other carriages will carry the new King in the processions between Buckingham Palace and Westminister Abbey. there will be fewer peers and peeresses in their robes, and a wider ethnic representation will be invited. After the initial meeting of this commitee, the plans were submitted to the Queen and to Prince Charles for their comments and decisions, but no details are to be released for many years. It is simply another example of the forward planning and attention to detail for which the Palace is renowned"

[Grace]

Thank you, Boffer.  I had actually heard something about this planning committee for Charles' coronation, but surely details are not meant to be released publicly at this stage?

Anyway, from what you have told us, it sounds like the next coronation will be somewhat less than a grand spectacle, to say the least. 

[ChristineM]

In 1994 withing the terms of a discussion of his becoming Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Prince of Wales said he would rather be 'defender of faiths' than 'defender of the faith'.   This is an old chestnut which has reared its head again - it must be autumn.

Its the readers responses to the Daily Mail piece which is illuminating.   One wrote 'defending one faith is more than enough work for one man'.   The opinions of those who have responded are not favourably disposed to the Prince of Wales.

tsaria