Former prime minister Tony Blair is to call for faith to be given a central role in tackling the world's problems. In a speech at Westminster Cathedral, Mr Blair will say failure to engage with religious groups will drive believers to apathy or fundamentalism.
Mr Blair, who recently converted to Catholicism, will outline the role of his Faith Foundation for young people.
Anti-war protesters from Stop The War Coalition have pledged to drown out the speech with a "wall of sound".
Catholic peace group Pax Christi also plan a silent protest before the speech.
Since stepping down as prime minister last summer, Mr Blair has become a Roman Catholic and is now a Middle East peace envoy.
Religion's division
He told the BBC last year his faith had been "hugely important" to his premiership but said he had been wary of talking about it because "frankly, people do think you're a nutter".
In his speech this evening, he will warn that while societies across the world are adapting to meet the challenges of globalisation, religion is coping less well.
It faces an internal division between fundamentalism and those who believe religion is a spent force.
He will describe the aims of his Faith Foundation, due to be launched this year.
Mr Blair is one of a series of speakers on faith and various aspects of life in Britain, which also includes the Conservative frontbencher William Hague and BBC director general Mark Thompson.
Protest planned
The archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, said "It is important that the Catholic church engages with society in a positive and creative way and provides a public space for debate about religion.
"The role of faith in our society cannot be ignored and I hope that the debate these lectures stimulate will highlight the crucial role faith can play in contributing to the common good. "
But the Stop the War Coalition say they want to hold Mr Blair to account over his role in the Iraq war with their noisy protest.
Pax Christi says its silent vigil will "call to mind and to public attention, Tony Blair's involvement in the Iraq War and ongoing occupation".
It also opposes his involvement in the decision to replace Britain's Trident nuclear weapons system "and other aspects of his premiership that have created global polarity". +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer
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