LONDON (AFP) – Britain’s chief rabbi will join other religious leaders at the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, but he faces a unique problem – how to ensure his presence does not violate the Jewish Sabbath.
Ephraim Mirvis on Friday praised the “respectful, sensitive” way in which the situation was handled by Charles’ office – even inviting the rabbi and his wife Valerie to spend the night at St James’s Palace.
This would enable the chief rabbi to walk to nearby Westminster Abbey on Saturday morning, rather than break the Sabbath by using motorized transport.
Mirvis told Sky News that a kosher caterer had been brought in to prepare Friday night’s dinner of coronation chicken.
Following the Christian coronation service, the chief rabbi, together with British Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist leaders, would make a unanimous verbal proclamation to their newly crowned monarch.
“It will be quite brief, but extraordinarily powerful,” Mirvis said, stressing that he was not required to speak into an electronic microphone at the abbey in order to respect the Jewish holy day.
Britain’s Prince Charles and Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Jan. 23, 2020 (Menahem Kahana/Pool photo via AP, File)
The unprecedented joint declaration of religious leaders read: “Your Excellency, as neighbors in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service.
“We unite in thanksgiving with people of all religions and beliefs, and serve with you for the common good.”
Mirvis consulted with the judges of Britain’s Beth Din Jewish court, who agreed to enter a Christian church on this Sabbath, out of respect for the sovereign’s invitation.
“It is a wonderful feature of 21st-century Britain, and our King wants to support the rights of members of all faiths to practice their religion,” said the chief rabbi.
King Charles III speaks during the Council of Accession at St James’s Palace, London, on September 10, 2022, where he is formally proclaimed monarch. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP, File)
“He did this amazingly as Prince of Wales. He continues as King now,” he said.
“And it’s not just within the Jewish faith. I know members of other faiths appreciate it very much as well. And to be involved in a coronation service now is very special.
‘Keeper of the Faith’
The service at Westminster Abbey will draw heavily from Christian liturgy as Charles takes an oath to serve as “defender of the (Protestant) faith” and to defend the established Church of England.
But the king has a longstanding interest in bridging religious divides and has spoken of acting as a “keeper of the faith” in general as Britain became more multicultural under his late mother’s 70-year reign.
Other faith leaders attending the coronation include Alia Azam, interfaith coordinator at the Islamic Al-Khoi Foundation, and Radha Mohan from the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu Temple, north of London.
The manor house was donated to the Hare Krishna movement in 1973 by former Beatle George Harrison.
Inderjit Singh, a Sikh member of the House of Lords, and Bogoda Selvimala, head monk of one of London’s main Theravada Buddhist temples, are also attending.
Separately during the abbey service, ethnic minority members of the House of Lords will present Charles with non-Christian symbols, such as gold bracelets and royal robes.
At another coronation first, Charles would pray aloud during the service, asking God that “May I be a blessing to all your children, to every faith and conviction.”
Royal fans pose with ‘Union Jack Man’, 88, in central London on May 5, 2023, ahead of the coronation weekend. (Photo by LOIC Venance/AFP)
However, people of no faith represent an increasing proportion in the UK.
In the 2021 census, around 27.5 million people, or 46.2 percent in England and Wales, will describe themselves as Christian, a decrease of 13.1 percentage points from 2011.
Those listing “no religion” rose 12 points to 37.2 percent.
Muslims represented 6.5 percent of the population, followed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jews.
