Wrong understanding of religion and God was often the cause of terrorism and religious fanaticism, archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Willaims observed in Thiruvananthapuram today.
There were some who think that God required us all the time defending him and the faith. God need not require us to defend him, the visting head of the Church of England said during an interaction with students of the Kerala United Theological Seminary here.
What is important is to try to understand "the infinity, inexhaustibility and mystery of God", which will lead to a meaningul understanding of the faith, the supreme leader of the Anglican Communion said.
Stating that he did not think that universal military action against terrorism would solve the problem, he said trying to understand why some people were driven to "dreadful and evil actions" would help addressing the problem of terrorism.
On the question of the ordination of women bishops, he said the Church of England would be taking a final decision on this issue in another two years.
"Some Anglican churches have accepted ordination of women.The Church of England is in the middle of the process and a final decision is likely in two years' time", he said.
Earlier, interacting with political and religious leaders at the head quarters of the South Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India (CSI), he said equitable distribution of the fruits of progress was an urgent question before the entire world.
"Christianity is about justice. We are deeply committed to justice and opportunity for everybody. A state may be productive. The urgent issue is productivity and progress should become prosperity for every one", he said.
Besides the CSI South Kerala bishop JW Gladstone, prelates from other church denominations and the Hindu and Muslim spiritual personalities, Kerala ministers MA Baby, M Vijaya kumar and V Surendran Pillai attended the interaction.
The archishop will be delivering the key-note address at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the diocese here tomorrow.
