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Faiths Together
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DOWNLOAD the films and find complete details on the course at the Heythrop College website: http://www.heythrop.ac.uk/outreach/faiths-together.html
Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 63 – September 2009
'Faiths Together' Films – the launch
On Monday evening, September 14th 2009 at Heythrop College the 'Faiths Together' films were launched.
Dr Peter Vardy, Vice-Principal of Heythrop College, welcoming us reminded us of the episode when St Francis of Assisi, right in the middle of the Crusades decided that, rather than fight over the Holy Places in Jerusalem it would be better to talk to the Sultan, which he did. In his introduction to the films, Michael Barnes SJ referred to Cardinal Basil Hume, who always spoke of our common humanity with people of faith and none. The Cardinal was instrumental in setting up Westminster Interfaith as the Diocesan agency for interfaith relations. Of course, Michael did not fail to mention the influence of Brother Daniel Faivre, who was a pioneer in inter-religious dialogue. Daniel considered each person to be a 'unique manifestation of holiness' and therefore to be treated with great respect and love.
Naima, a young Muslim woman, shared her experience of the Faiths Together course stating that it was a safe environment, where it was possible to learn about other faiths, other people and about oneself enabling her to become a better person so as to better offer herself to others. She found that the visits to different places of worship particularly illuminating and fruitful.
Michael Barnes then introduced the short films, which record the experience of the Faiths Together course. We saw the introductory film and one on Sacred Texts, each about 15 minutes. We were impressed with both the content and the technical aspects of the films.
After the short films, Jonathan Gorsky presented the new Certificate / Diploma course in Inter-religious Relations. It is primarily an experiential course, blending teaching and seminars with visits to faith communities. The second (Diploma) year is more analytical but will still involve dialogue and conversations. As an aid to inter-religious dialogue, he quoted Lev Shomeia, 'listen with the heart, find the presence of God in self and in others'. We then had the opportunity to mingle and chat with staff, students and visitors, with a glass in one hand and some tasty nibbles in the other.
Faiths Together
Veedic Fire
