200 Interfaith representatives gather in Westminster

[Guest guest]

Press Release from the Catholic Communications Service issued on 18 November 2003

200 INTERFAITH REPRESENTATIVES GATHER IN WESTMINSTER

A record number of representatives of different faiths met at Westminster

Interfaith's Autumn Event on Sunday, 16 November to share and celebrate the

ways in which their various religions handed on their faith and traditions to

younger members.

Fr Alfred Agius, Director of Westminster Interfaith, said that the event in

Faulkner Hall, at the Maria Assumpta Centre, in Kesington Square, had attracted

a record number of more than 200 participants from the Baha'i, Jewish, Sikh,

Roman Catholic, Anglican, Buddhist, Zoroastrian and Hindu faiths.

Fr Agius explained,"This event was part of our 'Celebrating Differences' series

and was subtitled 'Bringing up our Young People in the Faith'. Each religious

community made a presentation using different cultural and linguistic

expressions in an atmosphere of respect and a desire to learn from each other.

This brought together parents and children, teachers and pupils, monks and

disciples."

He added: "The Sathya Sai Association rounded off the evening with a finale to

embrace everybody with their music, their choir singing, 'We are one in the

Spirit, we are one'."

As one elderly nun put it on her way out: "Today, I experienced the oneness of all in God."

Westminster Interfaith is an agency of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster

under the patronage of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of

Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and

Wales.

It originated in 1981 and aims to respond to the teaching of the Second Vatican

Council with regard to interfaith dialogue, to promote greater understanding,

co-operation and respect between Christians and people of other faiths and thus

combat discrimination at all levels, and to help Christians deepen their own

faith by promoting greater awareness of other faiths through dialogue, prayer

and action.

http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/CN/03/031118.htm

COLLECTION: PREETHAM SAI P.V.

MANGALORE,INDIA.