Posted on 11/07/2003 7:23:01 PM PST by Maeve
The number of interfaith groups and networks has risen dramatically over the past 30 years, a new survey shows. The Church of England is playing a leading part in this.
The survey, Local Interfaith Activity in the UK, is published by the Interfaith Network for the UK. It reveals not just the growing number of groups and networks but also the increasing range of activities in which they are involved.
The survey was promoted last week, along with good-practice guidelines called Partnership for the Common Good, at a conference of European Ministers of the Interior, held in Rome. The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, addressing the conference on interfaith relations, told delegates that dialogues between all faiths lay at the heart of Europe’s future.
Bishop Herbert, who was representing the Anglican Church, also highlighted Clause 51 of the European Convention, which refers to the EU’s maintaining “an open, transparent and regular dialogue” with Churches and other faith communities. Without interfaith dialogue, Bishop Herbert said, “the political structures of Europe could become thin and feeble.”
View from Crabtree
Dr Harriet Crabtree, who worked on the survey, said that several countries at the conference had expressed interest in interfaith work in the UK. Events such as 11 September had prompted “rapid change” in interfaith relations. “Anglican clergy came across as doing sterling work in this area, often requiring a great deal of diplomacy and groundwork.”
Positive instances in the report included a delegation led by the Rector of Holy Trinity, Skipton, the Revd Adrian Botwright, to the local mosque after 11 September. The Churches Together group in the area now has strong links with the Muslim community.
In Newmarket, an arson attack on the Anglican-Methodist church had prompted immediate support from the local Muslim community. The survey tells how a Muslim family, which runs a local shop, had started raising funds to restore the church building.
But the report includes some negative points. “Pessimism was voiced by some respondents about the impact of overseas events on local interfaith relations. There was also an undertow of anxiety in some responses relating to the impact of social problems in the UK.” This is particularly so in areas where extremist political groups are active, the report says.
View from Southwark
The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Tom Butler, one of the Co-Chairs of the Interfaith Network, described the new survey as “timely”.
Links:
http://www.interfaith.org.uk/
Previously on FR
2. EU ministers discuss Europe's Religious Faiths
In the meantime I will keep my eyes open to the world and my heart open to God.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.