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Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 60 – January 2009
Saturday,
6th June 2009
24th
Multifaith
Pilgrimage for Peace
As usual, we hope to start early, probably about 9 am. This year, we hope to repeat the experience of a few years ago of setting off from three different points of departure in order to include smaller places of worship, which, unfortunately, were unable to accommodate us adequately because of our largish numbers. So far, we have only made one definite booking, the Zoroastrian Temple at Rayners Lane, where we are expected for lunch. More next time!
Editorial – Happy New Year & Gong Xi Fa Cai! 4707.
We wish you peace and joy throughout the year.
Many thanks to all who have sent us seasons greetings and messages of support, encouragement and affirmation as well as the many subscriptions and donations we have received and that are still coming in.
Full article here
Non-Catholic Pupils in Catholic Schools
The Catholic Education Service of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has published (October 2008) a new document "Catholic Schools, Children of Other Faiths and Community Cohesion: Cherishing Education for Human Growth".
Full article here
Pope sends telegram to President Obama
Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram to Barack Obama, the new president of the USA, on the occasion of his inauguration, expressing wishes for the United States to rediscover its heritage of spiritual values and ethical principles. The Pope assured President Obama of his prayers for his presidency, the American people and his family. The full text of the telegram, personally signed by the Holy Father, is as follows:
"On the occasion of your inauguration as the Forty-fourth president of the United States of America I offer cordial good wishes, together with the assurance of my prayers that the Almighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high responsibilities.
Under your leadership may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society, marked by respect for the dignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially the poor, the outcast and those who have no voice. At a time when so many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world yearn for liberation from the scourge of poverty, hunger and violence, I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, cooperation and peace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of life which God wills to set for the whole human family (cf. Isaiah 25:6-7). Upon you and your family, and upon all the American people, I willingly invoke the Lord's blessings of joy and peace."
Dialogue between Christians and Muslims
Throughout the year, there were many local and international encounters between Christians and Muslims, among which was the long awaited Catholic-Muslim Forum, which met in Rome at the beginning of November, to discuss the theme: "Love of God, Love of Neighbour".
Full article here
From Brother Daniel's Diary (5)
On 1st May 1988 Westminster Interfaith organised a multifaith celebration at the Westminster Cathedral Hall with the theme "Light and Life— The Lamps are Many but the Light is One". Many Faith groups contributed items. Cardinal Basil Hume hosted the event and addressed the group.
Full text here
Forum of Faiths – Kensington and Chelsea.
"Faith and Culture in Kensington and Chelsea"
Wednesday, 11 February 2009, 5.00–7.00pm in the Great Hall,
Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, W8 7NX.
Panel Speakers: Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP, Fr Michael Barnes SJ, Rev Dr Christina Beardsley, Metropolitan Police Inspector Sarah Stanton, Bashir Khan. Details from: abdelghafour.dahbiskali@rbkc.gov.org
British Churches – On Christian-Hindu Relationships
Nine British Churches have commented on the current state of Christian-Hindu relationships in the UK. The Churches' joint statement is as follows:
Full text here
Interreligious dialogue: a sacred duty
In preparing for a talk to RE Co-ordinators in Roman Catholic Primary Schools in November 2008, I made some notes from various Church documents to remind me what the Church teaches about interreligious dialogue and why we need to be actively involved in it.
Full article here
Pakistani Christians, service in the midst of conflict
Pakistani Christian communities confronted with the presence of the Taliban and Al-Qaida serve their Muslim neighbours in an unfriendly environment.
Full article here
Barack Obama talks about his own beliefs
In his Call to Renewal Keynote Address on June 28, 2006 Barack Obama talks about religion and politics and about his own beliefs. Here is an extract from his address:
Full article here
World religious leaders commit to uphold human rights
The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia was one of ten world religious leaders who signed a statement entitled "Faith in Human Rights"
Full article here
Forthcoming Events
The events/organisers listed are those we know about. The list is not exhaustive.
January 2009 – Summer 2009 list
Calendar of Religious Festivals
Multifaith Calendars are seldom complete, ours has to fit on an A4 page - you may find more celebrations listed and explained online by following some of the addresses on our Resources page.
Calendar: January 2009 – early April 2009
Searching in the wrong place
A neighbour found Nasruddin on hands and knees.
"What are you searching for, Mullah?"
"My key."
Both men got on their knees to search. After a while the neighbour says, "Where did you lose it?"
"At home."
"Good Lord! Then why are you searching here?"
"Because it's brighter here."
Search for God where you lost God.
