He would speak of the common ground between Christianity and Islam with their shared inheritance as "children of Abraham", the report said.

"It is a very significant moment in the history of our two faiths and especially coming from a man of his stature and learning," Zaki Badawi, the founder of the Muslim College in London, told the newspaper.

Members of the new Church of Christ the King held their first service June 6 in rented chapel space at the Levere Memorial Temple, 1856 Sheridan Road, spokesman Wes Schneider said last week. They hold both high and low rite services at 9 a.m. each Sunday and plan to expand the service schedule when the fledgling congregation's two rectors are able to do so, he said.

Many contend religion and politics shouldn't mix. The fact is they do mix and always have. Nothing could more clearly illustrate such a "mix" than marriage customs, especially in eras and cultures where property is the primary "stake" in both marriage and governing systems.

Then, too, the value of justice is integral to both religious and political traditions.

The Bishop described his present home, which is valued at £1 million, as "delightful", but admitted that it was too large and costly to heat and had extensive grounds that meant paying and housing a full-time gardener.

He is not alone in his desire to "downsize" and his move comes amid a review of bishops' palaces and houses by their landlords, the Church Commissioners, which is expected to result in a number of sales.