Christian Unity and Dialogue
Guidelines for Interfaith Events and Dialogue published
In 2007, the Committee for Christian Unity and the Bishops of the Church of Ireland published a pamphlet, Guidelines for Interfaith Events and Dialogue (Church of Ireland Publishing, Dublin, 2007).
These Guidelines aim to be helpful in situations where people of different faiths encounter one another. The rapidly changing composition of the society in which members of the Church of Ireland live today requires us to be aware of and informed about those who live among us as our neighbours and who are members of world faiths other than our own. This is nothing new to Ireland. Yet a richer diversity of people coming from a wide range of nations brings a need for respect and trust, issuing in generosity of spirit and a desire to welcome those new to our country which is also their country. In the recent and accelerated migrations from abroad, people have brought their faiths and cultures with them. The taking of appropriate decisions about situations in which we will find ourselves is important if understanding is to challenge fear and ignorance, and if all concerned are to be true to their faith. Living our own faith confidently and compassionately is the first requirement in meeting people of other faiths. The second requirement is to learn about what those people understand by their own faith. When InterFaith co-operation works, the lives of all are enriched.
The Guidelines are now available - on this link - for downloading as a pdf. It is the hope of the Committee for Christian Unity and the Bishops of the Church of Ireland to enrich understandings by ensuring the widest circulation.
+Michael Clogher