‘Interfaith - The New Ecumenism?’
Thursday 10 October 2024
The aim of this conference, organised by Free to Believe, is to explore the possibility that interfaith is the new ecumenism. We will hear from Christians who are committed to this possibility, from Jewish and Islamic speakers about the possibilities they see for it, and from the General Secretary of Churches together in England, David Cornick, to give him a chance to plead for the continued relevance of the work for Christian unity. Where is the cutting edge of unity now?
- Start Date:
- Thursday 10th October 2024
- Start Time:
- 6:40PM
- Location:
- The Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire, DE55 1AU
- Contact:
- Linda Harrison
- Email:
- linda.harrison@pcnbritain.org.uk
- Speakers:
- Raficq Abdulla MBE, Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield, Revd Dr David Cornick, Revd Canon Dr Alan Race, Dr Ian Bradley
- Cost:
- £140 including ensuite accommodation and all meals
- Website:
- http://www.freetobelieve.org.uk
In the wise words of the French Roman Catholic Cardinal Mercier: “In order to unite with one another, we must love one another; in order to love one another, we must know one another; in order to know one another, we must go and meet one another”. Today, while those words still apply among Christians, do they not apply with even greater force to those of other great world religions like Muslim, Jew, Hindu or Sikh? Can we live together? Can we learn to love each other?
As well as Dr David Cornick, General Secretary for Churches Together in England, we will be welcoming speakers well versed in interfaith understanding and dialogue:
Raficq Abdulla MBE - is an author, lawyer and consultant; has written and broadcast on the BBC World Service; was formerly the University Secretary and legal adviser to Kingston University, where he presently serves as Visiting Fellow; is on the Board of English PEN. Raficq was awarded an MBE in 1999 for his interfaith work among Muslims, Jews, and Christians
Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield - writer and broadcaster; head of the Movement for Reform Judaism since 1994; currently leading the development of its 2020 Vision which aims to address the key challenges facing British Jewry in the 21st century.
The Revd Canon Dr Alan Race - Editor-in-Chief of the World Congress of Faiths’ leading quarterly journal “Interreligious Insight”; author, most recently joint author of ‘Christian Approaches to Other Faiths’. Involved in work for interfaith understanding and co-operation locally, nationally and internationally.
We will also be joined by Dr Ian Bradley, Reader in Practical Theology and Church History at the University of St Andrews, to launch his new book “Grace, Order, Openness and Diversity – Reclaiming Liberal Theology”, inspired by leading us at our Conference in October 2008.