A major thrust in the new Millennium must be the growing together of the different churches and communities and a growing understanding and co-operation between the world's religions.

All Christians need to be penitent about their own mistakes, and the same is true of communities. The past two thousand years are marked both by glorious achievements and dreadful mistakes within the Christian communities. The past century has seen a remarkable growth in trust and shared life and mission, and this needs to grow ever stronger in the years ahead.

Thus, I strongly commend sharing in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and also regular prayer and collaboration between Christians of all kinds at all times. The scene has changed beyond all recognition and very much for the better. Ecumenism is not a luxury but an essential mark of living the Gospel.

Reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel message, and overcoming centuries of division is a powerful way of demonstrating the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

A recent example of growing Christian unity was the invitation Dr Philip Lewis and I received to represent the Archbishop of Canterbury at a conference for leaders of many world faiths in the Vatican.

It was an impressive gathering at which we Anglicans felt very welcome indeed.

In the Final Report the leaders of many faiths said this: "We recognise the responsibility that religions have to shape the future, a task that involves letting go of past mistakes and seeking new ways of going forward." The Report concludes: "As we enter the new millennium it is our fervent hope and prayer that through interreligious collaboration a new era of genuine respect, appreciation and love will prevail. Therefore, we can truly be united in the prophetic hope of forging a human family ruled by justice and peace."

These are noble sentiments which I fully share.

The challenge for Bradford is clear. Christian churches and communities together must take practical steps towards developing "a new era of respect, appreciation and love..." in this community of which we are part.

We also appeal to the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and other faith communities both to respond to our efforts and also to take initiatives of their own to which we shall hope to respond.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.