The Archbishop of Canterbury this afternoon (Wednesday 15 December) paid a visit to the Faith Zone at the Millennium Dome.

The Archbishop arrived with Mrs Carey after they had been to visit the English Churches Housing Group Cold Weather Shelter in Tavistock House, Bedford Place, and spent an hour with organisers and designers looking at the 'Faith Zone' and the exhibits.

Asked what he thought of the Zone, the Archbishop replied:

"Well, about a year ago, we were all concerned about what might appear, but what I have seen today has excited me enormously. The designers have caught very much the importance of Christianity at the heart of the Millennium celebrations. Other faiths are not excluded by any means, but people will see the significance of the Christian faith.

He continued:

"Jennie Page and her team are to be congratulated. It is a place we can bring our children, and our schools to, to see something of the celebration of faith and the history and importance of Christianity for our nation."

Acknowledging that the Zone had stimulated controversial discussion, the Archbishop said that that was because faith was very important in people's lives, and the debates had shown something of the vibrancy of faith today. The exhibits told the stories of the faiths, and showed clearly what they had in common, and he thought many would be pleased to see the result.