Inter Faith Matters: A visit to Belfast Islamic Centre, and attending a Holocaust Memorial Day event

 




From Church of Ireland News: 

Primate attends Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and visits Belfast mosque

Church of Ireland representatives, including the Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop John McDowell, attended the Holocaust Memorial Day Northern Ireland event this year on Thursday, 23rd January, in Belfast City Hall.  Time was devoted at this event to hearing the stories of the Mothers of Srebrenica group.  Archbishop McDowell visited Belfast Islamic Centre earlier on the same day, along with the Revd Lynne Gibson and the Revd Suzanne Cousins.

“Most striking was their determination to teach the next generation to choose love over bitterness,” Mrs Cousins, the Primate’s Inter–Faith Advisor, reflected on the commemoration.  “Most important for us to understand is that genocide doesn’t just happen. It starts with divisive language and people being targeted on account of their identity – a reality we touched upon in our church services and sermons this past weekend when reflecting upon the gospel of the day, Luke 4:14– 30, on the rejection of Jesus in Nazareth.”

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust encouraged people to light a candle yesterday evening (Monday, 27th January) at 8pm, and to place it safely in their window to remember those who were murdered for who they were and stand against prejudice and hatred today.


https://www.churchofireland.org/news/12698/primate-attends-holocaust-memorial-day

If you are interested in deepening your understanding of inter faith matters, perhaps you will consider attending the COI's 2025 conference on Sat 17th May in Dublin. 

Publicity to follow soon. 



Popular posts from this blog

In memoriam: Linda Bourke

Image
  "Safe in the arms of Jesus." It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the death of our friend and sister in Christ, Linda Bourke, faithful Westport parishioner (Holy Trinity Church), on Sunday 9th March, peacefully in Mayo University Hospital.  May she rest in peace and rise in glory.  Notice and arrangements can also be found here:   https://rip.ie/death-notice/linda-bourke-mayo-westport-587759 The death has occurred of Linda Bourke, Riverside, Clogher, Westport – peacefully.   Predeceased by her parents Alex & Frances & infant sister Elizabeth.   Deeply regretted by her sister Iris, extended family, relatives, neighbours, friends & her Westport Country Market Community.   AT REST   Reposing at McGing's Funeral Home (F28 RX58) on Tuesday (Mar 11th) from 11:30am until 12:30pm. THE PUBLIC QUEUE FOR ENTRY INTO THE FUNERAL HOME WILL NOW BE FROM THE SHOP STREET DIRECTION.   Funeral arriving to Holy Trinity Cemeter...
Read more

Return to Inishbiggle, Sat 15 February 2025

Image
  It was especially joyful for a few of us from mainland Mayo to step foot again on Inishbiggle on 15th February, having been prevented by the weather from sailing on our last attempt at the end of November 2024. While on this occasion it was lashing in Limerick, wet in Westport, and raining cats and dogs in Castlebar, the sun was splitting the clouds gloriously on the approach to beautiful Biggle. Also uplifting was to arrive at the church and on entering to find it looking, if not transfigured, transformed - for example, with its newly-stripped and repolished pews, clean floors, doors, harmonica and walls, and a close-to-spotless vestry into the bargain. Hats off and enormous thanks to the church wardens for the hours of painstaking work - truly a labour of love for this precious and important place of gathering and worship, emanating from a sincere love for God and his people, of all faiths and persuasions. Holy Trinity Inishbiggle conveys the message “Come on in! There’s plenty...
Read more