Katharina Smith-Muller's Blog (82)

Recent events have, in a terrible way, shown the need for people of faith to come together to pray for peace. You can find an article, and a statement by Archbishop Kevin McDonald, here: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/05/24/my-catholic-faith-inspired-me-to-confront-woolwich-attacker/.

During his visit, Cardinal Tauran will visit places of worship of the Jain, Sikh and Hindu communities - more details can be found at http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/News/interreligious-co-operation/%28language%29/eng-GB. All people of good will are invited to a Prayer for Peace at which different religious leaders will offer a prayer for peace in their own tradition. The event is…

The Vatican has released a greeting message to the Jain community on the occasion of Mahavira Jayanti, which commemorates the life of the most recent teacher of Jainism, and will be celebrated on 23rd April. In it, Cardinal Tauran, the president of the Ponitifcal Council for Relations with Other Religions, urges Jains and Catholics to "nurture, first of all, thoughts, words and gestures of peace in our respective homes and secondly, joining hands with others, so as to promote families as the…

Receiving guests from different churches, and different religions, Pope Francis I. spoke about the importance of friendship between people of faith, and of our shared responsibility to work together for the common good. The relevant paragraphs are below (emphasis in bold by me), and you can find the full text on http://visnews-en.blogspot.co.uk/.…

Islam Awareness Week starts today, with many interesting events, both in England and Scotland - the full listing can be found here: http://www.iaw.org.uk/pages/page.php?id=events.

Within the framework of a project that aims to link universities and Muslim institutions, researchers from the University of Derby are bringing scholars and practitioners together to exchange their experiences, and contribute to the project. Events will be in February and March, in Derby, London, Lancaster and Cardiff. For more information and to register, go to…

In his Christmas address, Pope Benedict XVI referes to interreligious dialogue as "a necessary conditition for peace inthe world", and encourages shared social action as a starting point for dialogue. The paragraphs relevant to interreligious dialogue are below, with some highlights of my own, while the full address can be found at…

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release – 18 December 2012

Launch of Guidelines for Interreligious Marriage

Guidelines for the increasing number of interreligious marriages have been launched by the Christian-Muslim forum.  “When Two Faiths Meet. Marriage, Family and Pastoral Care – Ethical principles” is available free online (see details below).

Bishop Paul Hendricks, Auxiliary Bishop of the…

For Advent, people of all religions are invited to come together to help the homeless during the Year of Service - the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is offering one-off volunteering opportunities in one of their shops, and to help out with their regular soup runs. Do join them (what better way to prepare for Christmas?), and feel free to encourage others to join us, too - all are welcome! For more details, and locations, go to…

The Vatican has released the following greeting message to the Sikh community on the festival that celebrates the coming into the world of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of Sikhism. If you are celebrating today, I hope that it is a joyful and blessed occasion!

 

PONTIFICAL COUNCIL

FOR INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE  



 

CHRISTIANS AND SIKHS: WORKING TOGETHER  

FOR RECONCILIATION AND PEACE

 

 

Message for the Feast of Guru Nanak Jayanti

2012…

The following is part of a series which gives suggestions for bidding prayers at the major festivals of other religions, along with a short text of explanation for use in parish newsletters, and some background information. In acknowledging these festivals, and praying for those who celebrate them, Catholics can express their connectedness to all people of faith, as well as the respect which the Church holds for their spiritual wealth.

For use on Sunday,…

Cardinal Tauran, the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, talks of our shared responsibility to raise young people to become defenders of peace, and wishes the Hindu community a very blessed festival - if you are reading this and celebrating today, very good wishes to you! Cardinal Tauran's message can be read in full here:…

The following is part of a series which gives suggestions for bidding prayers at the major festivals of other religions, along with a short text of explanation for use in parish newsletters, and some background information. In acknowledging these festivals, and praying for those who celebrate them, Catholics can express their connectedness to all people of faith, as well as the respect which the Church holds for their spiritual wealth.

For use on Sunday, 11^th…

This four-day course is held at Campion Hall, the Jesuit community in Oxford, and aims to help Catholics understand how their beliefs shape the world views of the Muslims they live and work with. Participants are encouraged to see the world through Muslim eyes, and are taken through a stimulating programme including sessions on Muhammad, Islamic beliefs, laws and prayer life.

There are also opportunities to learn about Islamic perspectives on Christianity, developments in the modern…

In this event, starting at 7:30 and ending at 9pm, Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Rabbi Natan Levy and Bishop Michael Ipgrave come together to discuss "sharing the word". See here for more details:http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/worship/calendar-detail.php?c=2012-10-18&d=2012-10-18&id=6316

Do join Birmingham's faith leaders on 12th September 2012, to mark the 11th anniversary of the Faith Leaders' Group, and to commemorate the victims of 9/11 and other acts of terror and civil conflict at 12.00 noon at St Thomas’ Peace Garden, Bath Row, Birmingham. The service is expected to last half an hour, and all are welcome.

For further details contact: faithinbrum@yahoo.co.uk.

The following is part of a series which gives suggestions for bidding prayers at the major festivals of other religions, along with a short text of explanation for use in parish newsletters, and some background information. In acknowledging these festivals, and praying for those who celebrate them, Catholics can express their connectedness to all people of faith, as well as the respect which the Church holds for their spiritual wealth.

For use on Sunday, 23^rd…

The Paralympic torch visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on 29th August 2012, making for some lovely symbolism, and very moving shots - you can watch coverage of the event on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqDlUPuuxKo&feature=em-uploademail. Very good to see that the organisers chose a route that showcases the rich diversity of London.

In 2010 and 2011, Anglican and Catholic academics met in Oxford to discuss Christianity's response to Islam, to create a solid foundation for engagement. Four key aspects of Islam were discussed, namely Muhammad, the Qur'an; prayer and devotional life, and finally law and society. Revised versions of the papers are now available, together with questions for further reflections:…

There are a few opportunities to apply for funding for interreligious work - the Interfaith Youth Trust funds work with young people, particularly during interfaith week: http://www.ifyouthtrust.org.uk/?page_id=8. Community Games funds events that get the community involved in physical activity (e.g., in this context, a sponsored interfaith walk, a cricket game played by Christian-Hindu teams...), and also provide resources that help…