I think [the disestablishment of the Church of England] would be a regrettable move. What I think we've got to see in the 90s is a kind of evolving situation in which what we're looking for is a spiritual presence in the second chamber, which is an ecumenical body. I'd like to see in the 26 or so spiritual peers that we have Roman Catholics among them, non-conformists, so we can have a balanced body representing the major Christian denominations in the country.

[As far as other faiths, like Islam, are concerned] what I'd like to see established is a council for Christians and Moslems, similar to the Council for Christians and Jews. There isn't such a thing at the moment, and that ought to be the basis of understanding and co-operation. I mean, we do have a lot in common.

Any people of faith have that in common, they may even have some degree of overlap in morality, and certainly in understanding. And it's only when you are together are you able to understand one another's point of view. I wouldn't want people to get the idea that what we're talking about is a kind of syncretistic religion. I don't think that would happen.

I think we have to maintain our own integrity. I mean I don't go for inter-faith services. I think that undermines faith rather than cements it. I think we ought to respect the integrity of another faith, respect the idealism of another faith - at the same time that doesn't rule out evangelism of other people. You know, I'm not looking for anything wishy-washy, but I think mutual respect is very important indeed.

When you talk about a living faith of another person, I think you're talking about dialogue, you see. And that dialogue must be at the very heart of evangelism, because dialogue assumes there's a philosophy you've got to respect. You want to understand how another person ticks, you see. So one wants to understand what Islam is all about, and so on. So you're going to respect that.

Now, a follow-on from dialogue could well be, if I believe Jesus Christ is so important that I want to share him with others, then the best way to respect another person is to say "I have found something valuable, would you like to know about him as well ?" If a person says "Yes, I want to follow that way", that's fine, that's evangelism, but I think it becomes proselytising if we actually undermine a faith in such a way, treat it deceitfully - and I certainly don't want that at all.

Love to everyone here in Wrington

Video of interview