The Power of Reconciliation will come to be seen as Archbishop Welby's most important book to date.
The Reconciliation of which he writes relates to both religious and secular communities. At a time the Churches are fighting to establish their authority and authenticity, conflict is widespread. In the secular world, the after effects of Covid, and increasingly polarized political and social strife, moves towards reconciliation are more necessary than ever.
As is well known, before ordination Welby spent many years in the oil industry and experienced such strife at first hand.
The book is full of practical advice for all those in authority on how to bring about reconciliation. There is even a step-by-step guide for this, drawn from the author's own managerial experience.
The book is thus down to earth, plugged into reality and devoid of pointless optimism or a Pollyannaish view of our contemporary problems.
The Power of Reconciliation also covers personal conflict, conflict in families and how the Churches need to be reconciled with movements like BLM and LGBT. The churches must practise what they preach.
Furthermore, there is the dignity of difference. Today there is so much intolerance of views that are other than our own as we demonize those we do not agree with.
This important book will be published in advance of the 2022 Lambeth Conference in July, when bishops from all round the world will assemble in Canterbury. They will be asked to read this book in advance so discussion can be more useful. But the importance of this book will go far beyond the confines of a Conference, which will nonetheless be widely reported. The influence of Desmond Tutu's Justice and Reconciliation Commission is evident in this book's pages.
