Waite Personifies Faith in Action, Says New Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey said in a Christmas Day message that Lebanon hostage Terry Waite, kidnaped on a mission to free Western captives, is an example of religion in action.
The archbishop celebrated the release this year of Lebanon hostages, including Church of England envoy Waite, who was held for four years.
Carey has a dual role as chief minister of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the 70 million people making up the worldwide Anglican community.
In his first Christmas sermon since becoming Church of England primate in April, Carey said traditional “trappings” of the festival of Jesus Christ’s birth should not be allowed to obscure its deep religious significance.
The archbishop had a Christmas message for the church, which he said must be an active force in society, not a mere ceremonial talking-shop.
He cited Waite, kidnaped during a mission to Lebanon in 1987 to negotiate the release of Western hostages, as an example of religion in action.
Since taking over from retiring Archbishop Robert A. K. Runcie, Carey has brought an evangelical zeal to the job.
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