IN THE EVANGELISING MISSION OF THE DIOCESE

Diocesan Interfaith Group: Rev Paul Fisher (Episcopal Vicar), Tim Garthwaite (Chair), David Jackson (Diocesan Interfaith Officer), Awais Moghal, Fr Sean Rainey, Mollie Somerville, Mgr William Steele. Liz Hanney, Terry Murnane, Sr Roisin Hannaway (Sept 2005)

INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

The Diocese has become increasingly aware of the importance of developing interreligious relations and all forms of dialogue in recent years. The members of the Interfaith Group have worked since the early 1990s to raise awareness of the importance of interfaith dialogue in response to the growing numbers of people of other faiths who live and work within the Diocese. The appointment of a Diocesan Interfaith Officer in 2000 and the secondment of Fr Pat McCaffrey (Columban Missionary) to work in the Diocese in the field of interfaith relations at the invitation of Bishop Konstant were signs of the increasing commitment that the Diocese gives to this aspect of mission. It is very appropriate that interreligious dialogue and the work of the Diocesan Interfaith Group should be strengthened at this time. Dialogue with members of other faiths was one of the themes for the Jubilee Year 2000 and remains one of the major concerns of the Church for the new millennium.

DIOCESAN COMMISSION for INTERRELIGIOUS RELATIONS

The Diocesan Interfaith Group has worked to establish an Interreligious Commission representing the Deaneries and the Vicariates. The inaugural meeting of the Commission took place on Saturday 23 November 2002. Members of the Group form the Commission’s Committee.