<p><br /> The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken of the importance of mutual dependence, fellowship and loyalty during the current economic situation.<br /> </p><p><br /> In his Christmas Day sermon, Dr Rowan Williams stressed the need to share the burdens of adversity as some people face testing times amid the downturn.<br /> </p><p><br /> He said: "Faced with the hardship that quite clearly lies ahead for so many in the wake of financial crisis and public spending cuts, how far are we able to sustain a living sense of loyalty to each other, a real willingness to bear the load together? How eager are we to find some spot where we feel safe from the pressures that are crippling and terrifying others?<br /> </p><p><br /> "As has more than once been said, we can and will as a society bear hardship if we are confident that it is being fairly shared; and we shall have that confidence only if there are signs that everyone is committed to their neighbour, that no-one is just forgotten, that no interest group or pressure group is able to opt out."<br /> </p><p><br /> Referencing Prime Minister David Cameron's "Big Society" idea, Dr Williams urged people to work positively together to rebuild trust.<br /> </p><p><br /> He said: "That confidence isn't in huge supply at the moment, given the massive crises of trust that have shaken us all in the last couple of years and the lasting sense that the most prosperous have yet to shoulder their load."<br /> </p>
