Page 3415 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 19 August 2009
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The event concluded with the signing of an Interfaith Commitment on Dialogue and Co-operation in which the three communities promised to continue to respect and listen to one another, to work together in discerning ‘principles for peace’ and seek a joint project in which they might support sister communities in the Holy Land working for peace. This Interfaith Commitment brought another dimension to the day and meant that sharing in prayer is but the first step in a process of engagement and dialogue that aims beyond symbols and words to mutual understanding and concrete action. None of the leaders participating in the process underestimates the complexity of the issues involved or the differences in perspective between the various faith traditions. However, there is a recognition that peace is the gift of the God of all the Abrahamic faiths and an objective common to all three communities.
Bishop Pat Power, 2009 Canberran of the Year, said “Here in Canberra we are uniquely placed to promote dialogue. The good will which exists between the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities enables us to cross divides which in other places seem insuperable.”
The Interfaith Commitment to Dialogue and Cooperation, the document that was signed, reads:
Recognising the good relations that have been enjoyed for many years between the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths within the community of Canberra and the ACT, we commit ourselves:
1. To continue to treat one another with respect and courtesy.
2. To be open and welcoming toward each other’s perspectives, experiences and beliefs.
3. To pray for the well-being, safety and growth in truth and peace of all our communities.
4. To explore and develop the resources for peace found in our own traditions—our sacred Scriptures, faith practice and spiritual history.
We commit ourselves to continuing dialogue towards an increased understanding of each other’s perspectives on issues of conflict affecting our sister faith communities in the Middle East and in particular:
1. to explore shared “principles for peace” on which we can agree to move forward in support of sisters and brothers in the Middle East as they seek to build a sustainable peace.
2. to seek a joint project in which we together can partner with communities in the Holy Land to embody those principles for peace and make a practical contribution to the building of peace in the region.
This document was signed on 9 August 2009, on behalf of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities of Canberra, Australia, by Dr Anita Shroot, President of the ACT Jewish Community; Reverend Joy Bartholomew, President of the ACT Churches Council; and Ahmed Youssef, Canberra Islamic Centre. The document concludes:
As I understand the leaders from the three faith communities have met since the Prayers for Peace, and intend to take further the exploration of the “principles for peace” and the shaping of an interfaith project in which they might co-operate, and no doubt all people of good will, would want to congratulate them and wish them well in this initiative.
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