COMMITTEE FOR INTERFAITH AND ETHNIC RELATIONS (CIFER)
TASK
To promote respect for people of all faiths and cultures, awareness of religious,
cultural and ethnic differences and recognition of the contribution they make to local
and national life, and take action on matters of common concern and social justice.
Bishop Council’s Review Link The Very Reverenced Christopher Dalliston
Chair of CIFER - Revd. Gavin Wort
Examples of CIFER’S Work
‘Auschwitz Phase 2’
The biggest project that CIFER has undertaken is the Auschwitz initiative which
began last year, which was the first time a bi-lateral inter-faith trip had taken place?
From this a photographic exhibition, They’re Only Pictures’ was developed and was
launched at Church House. Since then the exhibition has been shown at Newcastle
and Durham Cathedrals, Sunderland Minster, St Andrew’s Church Corbridge and
Tynemouth Priory as well as been exhibited at several colleges throughout the
region. Auschwitz Phase 2 is now in the planning stage, with all of the major faith
involved, the project is intergenerational and is supported by many partners
including, Newcastle Council of Faiths, the Civic Centre, Northumbria Police, North
East Refugee Service, and the Council of Christians and Jews. Some of the aims of
the project includes learning about the social isolation and persecution that many
communities have suffered, to be able to engage with issues related to the
Holocaust which are of particular relevance today, in their effect on community
cohesion, religious and political prejudice and discrimination and to grow in ways in
which the Holocaust has impacted on various faith communities.
‘Faith and Human Rights – Speaking with One Voice or Many?’
CIFER organised a conference on faith and human rights, which was held at Northumbria University. The key note speakers included professors of International Human Rights, and Comparative Philosophy and the Very Revd. Nicholas Coulton who spoke on issues around God, the Bible and Human Rights and the day was Chaired by the Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, The conference was well attended, by people from other faiths as well law students from many of the different universities in the region. Workshops included Asylum Seekers, Genocide/Holocaust, Marriage/Slavery, End of Life, the Right to Worship, Who has Human Rights and Who Doesn’t and Rights Responsibilities or Gifts. The aims of the conference where to pick out and understand some of the issues around the role and place that different religions and ethics have in some of the human rights debates.
‘Women in Conversation’
This project is aimed at working with some of the hardest to reach women from the many diverse faith and cultures in the Diocese. An Inter-Faith dialogue has been set-up and the women have made visits to several different places of worship, including a visit to Holy Island where they learned about the rich faith history our diocese/region has.
National Inter-Faith Week
CIFER was involved in setting-up and helping parishes, groups and individuals plan events for this important week.
Planned Work
A 2 day course will be run in the diocese offering Christians the opportunity to develop their understanding of Islam in Britain and to help support their work as Christian practitioners. Professor Phil Lewis and Dr. Helen Reid from Bradford will lead this 2 day course. A day on Countering Religious Prejudice will be held which will give participants the opportunity to engage with people of other faiths and look at some the hard questions and issues they might face in their lives and work. A forced marriage training day will also be offered to clergy and chaplains. Working with Revd. Jean Skinner, who will provide the training around Domestic Violence and Ms. Pummi Mattu who will provide the training on forced marriage. This training is being run in response to the growing number of young men and women who are being forced into marriages and request help, often from clergy and chaplains.
Help needed from the Bishop’s Council by CIFER
The continuing contribution of the Bishop’s Interfaith and Ethnic Relations Supporting Minister is crucial to the task group’s work. Also the cyclical nature of funding for CIFER is important.