Fr Patrick McInerney speaking at the Synod Interfaith Consultation - Photo: Fr Patrick McInerney
The Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CCCMR) and the Interfaith Commission Diocese of Parramatta are collaborating on three interfaith consultations for the Synod. The first was held at Blacktown on Tuesday the 13th of June; the second will be held at the Cathedral Hall, Parramatta, on Tuesday the 27th of June; and the third in St Patrick’s Parish, Guildford on Wednesday the 12th of July.
These are very important conversations. As the Synod will shape the direction of the church in western Sydney for years to come, it is important that we Catholics reflect on our responsibility to the wider multi-religious society of western Sydney among whom we live, work, study, play and pray.
Fr Patrick McInerney, Director of the CCCMR, said that if the church is truly synodal, then it is not just lay faithful, priests and bishop walking one path together, but it is also Catholics walking one path together with people of other faiths. If Catholics talk only among ourselves, 17% of the world’s population, we risk being an echo chamber, hearing our own voices, and missing out on what God is saying to the other 83% of the world’s population. This stark reality provided the basic question for our consultation: how do Catholics engage with believers from other religions?
Fr Patrick spoke also of interfaith, as “the new thing” that God is bringing about in our time. He said it is actually “old”, as it was introduced to the church by Pope Saint Paul VI nearly 60 years ago. However, very few Catholics know of it. It remains a “hidden treasure”. This provided other questions: what is Catholic Church teaching on interfaith relations? How can we promote this teaching in parishes, schools, catechesis, and adult faith education? Can the CCCMR provide courses and resources?
Finally, Fr Patrick shared some statistics. Sydney is the most Muslim city in Australia, the most Hindu city in Australia, the second-most Buddhist city in Australia, the second-most Jewish city in Australia, and has the largest population of Bahai’s of any Australian city. This religious diversity is most pronounced in western Sydney, where it is multiplied many times over with different religions in different areas. Again, our challenge as Catholics is, how are we being called to engage with this religious diversity? What can we learn from it? How can we best contribute to it?
To make the point that we need to listen to other voices, the organisers arranged for Hindu and Muslim guest speakers to address the Catholic audience and to share their perspectives on interfaith and how Hindus and Catholics, Muslims and Catholics could work together. Chand Chadha is the president of the Sri Mandir Temple in Auburn. He spoke of the commonalities between Hindus and Christians. Firdousi Obeidallah is the Managing Director of the House of Sakinah. She spoke of the commonalities between Muslims and Christians. They will also speak at the Parramatta consultation, and other speakers have been engaged for the Guildford consultation.
After each talk, we had a round of “spiritual conversation”. We responded to the question: how are Catholics called to engage with believers from other faiths?
Participants were surprised to discover the many commonalities between Hindus and Christians, and between Muslims and Christians. This was very different from their expectations. It highlighted the importance of getting to know one another directly, not just through media. One major issue from the consultation is: we have benefitted from this consultation, but how can we get other Catholics to reach out, encounter, dialogue with people of other faiths? Face-to-face meeting is important, as we learned during the COVID lockdown. How can we facilitate this transformative experience for Catholics in parishes? Can we arrange a series of talks? Can we arrange an interfaith pilgrimage? These were some of the questions canvassed.
Guest listened to Fr Patrick at the Synod Interfaith Consultation - Photo: Fr Patrick McInerney
The two guest speakers stressed that mercy, compassion, love, self-sacrifice and forgiveness are common values in our respective traditions. The point was made in discussion that often we show these traits only to the members of our own communities. However, people in need are human beings, regardless of their race, gender, or religious affiliation. We need to find ways of working together in response to social needs. The example was given of the Bishop, the members of the Interfaith Commission, and the staff of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations making a solidarity visit to the Turkish mosque and contributing to the Emergency Earthquake appeal. Why is this exceptional? Should it not be the normal response to human tragedy? How can we encourage greater collaboration between believers from difference religions on common social issues?
The final round of spiritual conversation sought to deepen the conversation, to build consensus, and to expand our tent by suggesting personal, practical, ambitious and strategic ways of promoting interfaith relations in the Diocese of Parramatta. These suggestions will be collated, edited and submitted for further discernment in the ongoing Synod process.
These interfaith consultations are an important opportunity to listen to the voices of others, to each other, and above all, to the Holy Spirit. We can make breakthroughs in learning about what we have in common, working together for the common good, and promoting harmony, peace and justice in this marvellous, multicultural, multi-religious society of western Sydney that we call home.
Come! Listen! Learn! Share!
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney, Director, Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations.
Related links
- Read - Engaging and walking with other faiths on path to diocesan synod/ - Source: Catholic Outlook
- Read -
Synod Flyer Parramatta - Guildford
