The Archbishop of Canterbury has appealed to Christians to celebrate the millennium by helping people in the third world.

He said they should consider the millennium as a "moral challenge".

"The third world is more important than the Millennium Dome"

Dr George Carey stressed that churches were in the heart of the millennial celebrations but in "a far more comprehensive way" than arguing over the contents of the Dome.

In an address at the diocese of Canterbury Synod in Ashford, Kent, Dr Carey said he was delighted with the targets set by the British Government to eliminate world poverty in the next century.

In his speech entitled, "The Moral Challenge of Jubilee 2000", he said sharing the world's resources and the burden of unpayable debts were the most urgent challenges.

Millions in slavery

Dr Carey said: "The biggest and most crippling burden that third world countries have are the massive debts which are totally unpayable and which engulf millions of people today in a form of slavery no less real than the terrible Atlantic trade of the early 19th century."

The Archbishop called for a one-off cancellation of the backlog of unpayable debt for the world's poorest countries.

He also reminded Christians of the real meaning behind the forthcoming celebrations.

He said: "The year 2000 gives us all a new opportunity to make this a jubilee that actually works.

"In that year we shall be celebrating the 2000th anniversary of the one who brought us life, hope and peace."

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©