0:00:12 > 0:00:15'Recently, I stood in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19'which was bombed on November 14th 1940.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23'On the remains of the wall behind the altar
0:00:23 > 0:00:25'are written the words "Father forgive",
0:00:25 > 0:00:30'echoing the words that Jesus prayed as his enemies crucified him.'
0:00:30 > 0:00:33I mean, it's such a prophetic thing, isn't it?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38The day after the bombing, the provost of the cathedral,
0:00:38 > 0:00:39an extraordinary man
0:00:39 > 0:00:42called Dick Howard, made a commitment not to revenge,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44but to seek forgiveness
0:00:44 > 0:00:46and reconciliation.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51On Christmas Day that year, Provost Howard preached a sermon
0:00:51 > 0:00:55that was broadcast across the Empire on the BBC.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59In it, he called for a new and more Christ-like world after the war.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04I started life as a clergyman here in Coventry.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I was ordained in the new cathedral, which was built alongside the ruins.
0:01:12 > 0:01:17I never imagined I'd work here, but for five years I helped lead
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Coventry's Global Ministry of Reconciliation,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22which grew out of Dick Howard's vision
0:01:22 > 0:01:25and now has 200 Partners for Peace around the world.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Coventry's always been a place that has caught
0:01:30 > 0:01:32my imagination and my passion.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35The story of this city says so much that is true
0:01:35 > 0:01:40about Britain at its best, about our courage, our standing up to tyranny,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42how we stand alongside the suffering and defeated,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45how we stand for human dignity and hope.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49There's a sort of sorrow in the statue which I find very moving.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54It says something vitally important about our generosity,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57how we've embraced the idea of reconciliation
0:01:57 > 0:02:00so that our wartime enemies are now friends.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Thanks to our creative, innovative spirit,
0:02:04 > 0:02:10this vibrant and diverse city is also a hugely welcoming place.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- Sabir.- Archbishop, welcome.- How nice to see you after so long.- Yes...
0:02:13 > 0:02:17'I met Sabir Zazai many years ago, and I was delighted
0:02:17 > 0:02:22'to have an opportunity to visit the centre for refugees he now runs.'
0:02:22 > 0:02:25That was signed by the people of Coventry,
0:02:25 > 0:02:30and people even tried to write messages in Arabic as well.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33That's absolutely profound. It's just lovely...
0:02:33 > 0:02:37'He came as a refugee from Afghanistan in 1999,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41'and his sheer courage and ability are extraordinary.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44'He's now a key figure in the future of this city.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46'There are people like Sabir all over the country'
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and they are a blessing to our way of life.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52They're embracing all that's good,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54'and that doesn't just enrich their lives.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57'It enriches and deepens ours, too.'
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- From Somalia.- Oh, from Somalia?
0:02:59 > 0:03:02You're very welcome. It's wonderful to see you.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Last year, we made a decision that will profoundly affect
0:03:05 > 0:03:07the future of our country,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10a decision made democratically by the people.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15The EU referendum was a tough campaign, and it has left divisions.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18But I know that if we look at our roots,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21our history and our culture in the Christian tradition,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25'if we reach back into what is best in this country, we will find
0:03:25 > 0:03:29'a path towards reconciling the differences that have divided us.'
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- You're the teacher? - Yeah. I'm trying to teach.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38- It's difficult learning English. - Yeah.- But it's really important.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40If we're welcoming to those in need,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44if we're generous in giving, if we take hold of our new future
0:03:44 > 0:03:49with determination and courage, then we will flourish.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52'Living well together despite our differences,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56'offering hospitality to the stranger and those in exile,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59'with unshakeable hope for the future -
0:03:59 > 0:04:01'these are the gifts, the commands'
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and the promises of Jesus Christ.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08They're also the foundations of our best shared values,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11traditions and practices in Britain.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13They make us the country we can be -
0:04:13 > 0:04:17a gift and source of confidence to this troubled world
0:04:17 > 0:04:20in which we live not only for ourselves,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24but as a beacon of hope, a city set on a hill.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29I wish you a happy and hope-filled New Year.