SEARCH Journal

Summer 2021

Editorial

OBLIGED by the pandemic to conduct this year’s Colloquium online, we were able to draw in contributors from three continents to ponder how we can serve the world in interreligious solidarity, as per the World Council of Churches’ document of the same name. We titled the event “Who is my Neighbour?”, the parable of the Good Samaritan being key to the WCC’s text.

We could not have hoped for more powerful and appropriate keynote speakers. Rev Dr Peniel J R Rajkumar, the WCC’s Coordinator for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, introduced the first session with a rundown on the thinking of his team, which included key personnel of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.David Ford, Cambridge’s Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus, led the “Wider Vision” session, reflecting on the rise of Scriptural Reasoning and its contribution to mutual respect, understanding between members of world faiths,Brother Jean-Marie of the Taizé Community led the session “Response to the Challenge”, drawing from the experience of Taizé brothers working in deprived areas around the world.These speakers were supported by contributors which included Prof. Esther Mombo from Kenya, Delene Mark from S Africa, and Bro. John Martin from India, as well as Irish academics and members of world faiths and members of Irish missionary organisations.The material which follows is arranged in four sections as delivered and discussed on the day. We are grateful to the Most Revd Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, for leading the final session, drawing together the thinking and challenges of the day, and to the Archbishop of Armagh, Most Revd John McDowell, for introducing and attending the first session. My heartfelt thanks also to my colleagues Dr Margaret Daly-Denton and Revd Bernie Daly for help with editing the mountain of material, to Revd Steve Brunn of the TCD chaplaincy for hosting the colloquium on Zoom, and to Revd Chris West for extra technical help.

Contents

SESSION ONE: The Wounds of the World - our call

Dr Peniel J R Rajkumar, Prof Maureen Junker Kenny, Prof Duncan Morrow, Dr Patrick McGlinchey. Introduction: Archbishop McDowell; Chair: Rev Steve Brunn.

The Revd Dr Peniel J Rajkumar
Revd Dr Peniel J R Rajkumar
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SESSION TWO: The Wider Vision - Interreligious Solidarity

Prof David Ford, Shayk Dr Umar Al Qadri, Dr Rupert Sheldrake, Rev Myozan Kodo Kilroy, Brother John Martin Sahajananda, Prof Esther Mombo, Mrs Hilary Abrahamson. Chair: Canon Ginnie Kennerley

David Ford
David Ford
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SESSION THREE: Response to the Challenge – local, national and international.

Brother Jean-Marie of Taizé, Rt Revd Andrew Forster, Dr Nicola Brady, Canon Delene Mark, Greg Fromholz, Ruth Cooke. Chair: Ven Gordon Linney

br-jean-marie
Br. Jean Marie
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SESSION FOUR: Serving the Neighbour – Concerted Action to serve and save the World

Panel discussion hosted by Archbishop Michael Jackson, with David Ford, Peniel Rajkumar, Esther Mombo & Brother Jean-Marie.

Archbishop Michael Jackson
Archbishop Michael Jackson
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Liturgica: An Opportunity to refresh our Hymn Repertoire

A PARADOX which troubles church musicians: if it is true that the Church has never before enjoyed broader or easier access to musical resources, why are we singing fewer hymns?

The Revd Dr Ian Mills
Revd Dr Ian Mills
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