Institute Book Explores Morality in Public Life

The book, entitled The Moral Heart of Public Service, is a collection of essays based on lectures given at the Institute over the last three years.

Among the contributors is the former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who discusses building communities in a divided society. The former Foreign Secretary, William Hague, looks at the way Britain has shown leadership in the world on issues from slavery to sexual violence in conflict. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, reflects on the value of Benedictine principles in public life.

Claire Foster-Gilbert, the Director of the Institute and the book’s editor, said:

Now more than ever politicians and public servants need to calibrate their moral compass and keep their moral courage strong. At a time when all manner of threats are looming over our civic life, the stability of our government and the deep and lasting values that keep us humane and neighbourly, this book of essays seeks to rekindle timeless moral virtues in public life and service.

The Westminster Abbey Institute was founded in 2012, and works with the public service institutions around Parliament Square to revitalise moral and spiritual values in public life.

The book is available from the Westminster Abbey shop, priced £18.99.