Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue: Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission

The Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission invites you to:

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue | Public consultation

Date: Sunday 23 September 2018      Time: 2pm to 5pm
Location: Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC

“Every Christian is called to go out to encounter others, to dialogue with those who do not think the way we do, with those who have another faith, or who don’t have faith. To encounter all because we all have in common our having been created in the image and likeness of God. We can go out to encounter everyone, without fear.” Pope Francis

Join guests from Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities!

Australia has been largely successful in developing a multi-faith and multi-cultural society. For that reason, four members of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) will be coming from the Vatican to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne in order to be better informed about the interreligious activities of the Catholic church in Australia; to be familiar with the interreligious particularities in Australia; and to encourage those involved in this service.

The four members of the Delegation are: 

• H.E. Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot MCCJ, Secretary of PCID. Born in Spain. The head of the delegation, is also an expert in Islam.
• Monsgr. Indunil Kodithuwakku. Born in Sri Lanka. Follows the relations with the Buddhists, Shinto and Confucianists.
• Monsgr. Santiago Michael. Born in India. Follows the relations with the Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
• Fr. Markus Solo SVD. Born in Indonesia. Follows the relations with Muslims in Asia and Pacific
• Chair: Mrs Elissa Roper, of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission

Purpose: To give the visitors the opportunity to engage with and hear from leaders and members of other faith communities in Melbourne and also from others who are involved in interfaith dialogue.

Order of events:

• Prayer: Dr. Arthur Hallett, of the Catholic Interfaith Committee
• Welcome: Archbishop Christopher Prowse who explains the purpose of the PCID visit and also explains his own role with regard to the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the PCID.
• Short address: Bishop Miguel Ayuso who explains the importance of this next section and the wish of the PCID to hear in-depth comments and questions.
• Participants break into three groups for the consultation:
  1. Muslims (and interested others) meet with Fr Markus Solo
  2. Hindus/Sikhs (and interested others) meet with Msgr Santiago Michael
  3. Buddhists (and interested others) meet with Msgr Indunil Kodithuwakku
• Refreshments.
• The Delegates report on what has touched them, and share their reflections.
• Discussion/Questions from the floor
• Mrs Elissa Roper thanks all for attending and closes the meeting.

The visit of the Delegation from Rome is a significant and unique event. We hope you can be a part of it.

They will be accompanied by the Most Reverend Christopher Prowse, Archbishop of Canberra-Goulburn, who is chair of the Australian Bishops’ Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations.

Please download the flyer here and pass amoung your congregations and networks.