The Church of England has published (full text) the 42-page Authorized Liturgy for the Coronation Rite of His Majesty King Charles III along with Commentary on each portion of the liturgy. Unique to Charles' coronation is the participation of representatives of faith communities outside the Church of England. Representatives of other Christian communities will offer blessings during the Coronation service (see pg. 25). They are The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Thyateira & Great Britain; The Moderator of The Free Churches; The Secretary General of Churches Together in England; and The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. The Church of England's Commentary to this portion of the liturgy reads:
The progress of ecumenical relations since 1953 means that, for the first time, this Blessing is to be shared by Christian leaders across the country.
In addition, non-Christian faith leaders will have a role in the Coronation. The ceremony begins with a Procession of Faith Leaders & Representatives of Faith Communities (see pg. 2). The Commentary to the liturgy reads:
Faith Leaders and representatives from the Jewish, Sunni and Shia Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Bahai and Zoroastrian communities will be part of the procession into Westminster Abbey.
This represents the multi-faith nature of our society and the importance of inclusion of other faiths whilst respecting the integrities of the different traditions.
The ceremony ends with the new King receiving a greeting by representatives of the Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and Buddhist faith communities:
As the King stands before the Leaders and Representatives of the Faith Communities, they deliver the following greeting in unison.
Faith Leaders & Representatives:
Your Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.
The King acknowledges the greeting, and turns to greet the Governors-General.
The Commentary to this section of the Liturgy reads:
In an unprecedented gesture consolidating the significance of the religious diversity of the Realms, the Sovereign will take his final moments of the service to receive a greeting from the leaders and representatives from the major non-Christian faith traditions.
In a spoken greeting these faith leaders and representatives speak with their own voices, as communities, but deliver the greeting in unison, as a community of faiths, united in the service of others, and in thanksgiving for His Majesty’s example this day, and every day of his reign.
We remain grateful to all faith communities for exploring ways in which such an act of unity could be produced, and especially to the Jewish community for finding ways to make this possible without compromising the observance of Shabbat.
CNN reported that England's Chief Rabbi was invited to stay at St. James Palace over the Sabbath so that he could walk to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Catholic News Agency in an article titled Catholic prelate to participate in British coronation for first time since Reformation reported that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in advance of the Coronation has issued a special prayer card with prayers for the King. Law & Religion UK has additional reporting on the coronation.
