Welby denies tensions over multi-faith roles

THE Archbishop of Canterbury has said the King’s coronation will be “deeply representative” of the nation as he denied claims of tensions with the monarch over the involvement of faith leaders.

Justin Welby replied “absolutely not” when asked about reports of “tension” between church leaders and Charles which claimed the issue had delayed the publication of the ceremony’s order of service.

The King has championed interfaith dialogue and celebrated the major non-Christian faiths practised in the UK for many years.

But the Mail on Sunday reported church leaders were resisting what they claimed was the King’s desire for a more active role for faith leaders from other religions during the coronation on May 6.

Mr Welby told the BBC: “On the 6th, the service is deeply Christian and when it’s published you’ll see it’s also representative of the people of this land.”

It is thought the senior cleric made his comments when he joined Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and leading figures from the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities at a homeless charity in central London as they urged

Britons to volunteer over the coronation weekend.

Asked about the claims of tensions, the Archbishop replied: “None whatsoever.

“What there is, is a deep sense – both of reflecting our tradition but also reflecting the fact that we’re infinitely more diverse than we were in 1953.” The King caused controversy in 1994 when he spoke of his desire to become “Defender of Faith” rather than “Defender of the Faith” as monarch – raising the prospect of a major change in the relationship between the Church of England and the monarchy.