Tony Blair launches foundation to unite religions in global action

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, Jun 1, 2008 / 02:03 pm (CNA).- Former British prime minister Tony Blair, calling faith a possible “civilizing force in globalization,” has pledged to dedicate the rest of his life to uniting the world’s religions as his “faith foundation” launched in New York on Friday.

Time magazine reports that the Tony Blair Faith Foundation will attempt to foster cooperation among religions to address global issues, such as those listed in the United Nations’ eight Millennium Development Goals. The goals include eradicating extreme poverty and securing environmental sustainability.

Combating the spread of malaria will be among foundation’s first priorities.

“If you got churches and mosques and those of the Jewish faith working together to provide the bed nets that are necessary to eliminate malaria, what a fantastic thing that would be,” Blair said.

"That would show faith in action, it would show the importance of cooperation between faiths, and it would show what faith can do for progress."

Blair, who recently converted to Catholicism, said it was possible to achieve a “greater understanding” between religious faiths to support common action on global problems.

Speaking of the place of his faith during his time as prime minister, Blair told Time magazine “You don't put a hotline up to God and get the answers” and “What faith can do is not tell you what is right but give you the strength to do it.”

At present Blair is an envoy to the Middle East for the United Nations, the U.S., the E.U., and Russia. He also consults for the insurer Zurich and the bank JP Morgan, and has recently sold his memoirs for millions of dollars.

Comments: 7

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Trevor Collins
New Zealand 06/02/2008 11:11 PM EST

Sounds like another Alfred Gore mission, Tony has been so two faced,remember him, this same person standing with the Stonewall homosexual people in the UK last year, I am so proud to be here today (but did you see the body language) enough said..we will all have to face our Maker one day! thank you I see Mrs Blair is still appearing at pro-abortion rallies and fund raising..this is all mind boggling...

Published by: Michael Webb
Australia 06/02/2008 06:29 PM EST

Smacks of religious indifferentism; motherhood statements of former political leaders who just cannot seem to just go away quietly.
Too cute, too neat, too much involved in big business with a 'religion' of his own to fit that glove.

Published by: Jack Picknell
Burnaby, BC Canada 06/02/2008 02:04 PM EST

Catholics are already doing all of this. Wherever there is suffering, you will find a Catholic charitable presence on the ground in the front lines.

Mr. Blair as a former Government leader can hardly be blamed for wanting to introduce redundancy and inefficiency.

Published by: Laura Britto
Antioch, CA, USA 06/02/2008 01:22 PM EST

My dear jack,
I sincerely hope that you are wrong, here. It would be a great thing if Tony Blair, or anyone, for that matter, would do more to irradicate the scourge which is malaria. His idea of recruiting the various faiths to do their parts in this endeavor would be a worthwhile venture. I hope this truly does reach fruition.

Published by: Dan H
E Machias ME USA 06/02/2008 12:21 PM EST

I have no doubt that there will be many naysayers... but let this be at least one positive note, thanking God that we have one like this, with these goals. AMEN!

Published by: Anthony Ozimic
UK 06/02/2008 11:26 AM EST

Under his premiership, the British government interpreted (and still interprets) the Millennium Development Goals to include a right to abortion. Since allegedly becoming a Catholic, Blair has refused, point-blank, to comment on, let alone repudiate, his pro-abortion, anti-family and anti-Catholic record during his time in parliament and government. Public figures should not be protected from public scrutiny simply by being received into the Church (allegedly, in Blair's case).

Published by: jack
sf 06/01/2008 02:10 PM EST

not a single word coming out of this guy is to be believed. hie is nothing more that a puppet of the imperialist us/uk due.

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