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Tasmanian Anglican

July 2003

 

St David's Cathedral

by Stuart Blackler

 

 

It was interesting that the one qualification which people had concerning the new Cathedral Ordinance was with respect to 'inter-faith activities'..

The Cathedral congregation has often heard it said that inter-faith relationships is the 'new ecumenism' of the twenty-first century. It was gratifiying, therefore, to read a report in The Tablet (7 June 2003) of the Kirchentag held in Germany, in the first week of June. One of the most popular speakers was Hans Kung, of whom the report says:

'His vision of reconciled world religions was the ecumenism of tomorrow.'

A spirit of co-operation, respect and sharing

The Pope has been the more prominent of the world's Christian leaders to demonstrate that 'new ecumenism' bringing together representatives of the world's major religions to talk and to pray together at Assisi.

Wanting to get the Cathedral involved in this endeavour, which in no way diminishes the integrity of our own faith-commitment, is nothing less than identifying us with a spirit of co-operation, respect and sharing seen across the world. The remembrance of events such as the Port Arthur massacre and the Bali murders will also involve representatives of 'holy people of every time and place.' It means much to people of faith to come together in a sacred space sharing their experience of the sacred with others.

Australia is a multi-faith society and we value what Jew and Muslim, Buddhist and Christian, Baha'i and Hindu have brought to our understanding of ourselves, others and of God.