Defender Of The Faith

This week sees the Coronation of King Charles III. Whilst the Coronation service itself is rooted in ancient Christian traditions and symbols, it breaks new ground, with a ‘faith procession’ of eight non-Christian clerics leading the way into Westminster Abbey, the presentation of ceremonial regalia involving Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish peers; Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, reading from the Bible; the blessing shared by leaders of different Christian denominations; and the King being greeted by non-Christian faith leaders. As Prince of Wales, King Charles once said he would prefer to become ‘Defender of Faith’ rather than ‘Defender of the Faith’. However, the King’s oaths, central to the service, remain unchanged, including the promise to maintain ‘the Protestant Reformed Religion’ as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The oaths are, however, contextualised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to illustrate the King’s commitment to the multi-faith and diverse landscape in Britain. But what exactly does this centuries old title of ‘Fidei Defensor’, ‘Defender of the faith’, mean in practical terms at the dawn of King Charles’ reign? What of the bigger picture - does it apply to us in Wales? Do we need one? And what of the place of other faiths?

To discuss these issues, Rosa Hunt is joined by:

The Very Rev Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Dean of St Davids;

Alun Lenny, councillor, former mayor of Carmarthen and a non conformist lay preacher with the Annibynwyr

Catherine Pepinster, a journalist specialising in religious affairs, and author of 'Defenders of the Faith, the British Monarchy, Religion and the Coronation';

And Akhandadhi Das, A Vaishnava Hindu teacher and theologian