INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS - A COMMON WORD #006-08-18-11
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official10676
- Date
- 2018 November 23-25
- Type
- Resolution 14-11-18
- Seconder
- The Rt. Rev. Bruce Myers
- Text of motion
- Be it resolved that this Council of General Synod: a) Affirm the efforts of Faith, Worship, and Ministry to continue the necessary research and consultation related to pursuing an ACC-ELCIC joint initiative in resourcing local Christian-Muslim dialogue according to the A Common Word model. b) Direct Faith, Worship, and Ministry to develop a draft resolution calling for an official ACC endorsement of the A Common Word statement to be considered at General Synod 2019. ADOPTED #CoGS 14-18-11 [14-11-18]
- Notes
- Animator for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, the Rev. Dr. Scott Sharman, spoke to Council about A Common Word via a presentation entitled, “Who Is My Neighbour? The Call to Christian Muslim Dialogue.” To begin, Dr. Sharman asked Council to discuss the following in table groups:
- Word association – what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the word Muslim?
- Introduce a Muslim neighbour, co-worker, friend, family member, etc. who you have known personally. Dr. Sharman surmised that the descriptions Council members offered of Muslims they knew personally was very far from common stereotypes of Muslims. He referred to Luke 10:25-37 and the question “Who is my neighbour?” that gave rise to the story of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus Challenges our assumption about who our neighbours are. When added together, Christians and Muslims account for fifty to fifty-five percent of the global population. In Canada, Muslims currently make up four to five percent of the population, with sixty percent residing in Ontario. These statistics present churches with both opportunity and responsibility. Council heard that A Common Word began with a letter written in 2007 and 2008. There were originally 138 original signatories on the letter, and now there are over 400. A Common Word has received seventy responses with 200 Christian endorsements, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The letter is an extended invitation to major Christian leaders around the world espousing two key principles:
- A call to love God above all things, and
- To live out that love by loving our neighbours. The letter does not seek agreement, but a common ground for peace. While The Anglican Church of Canada has not endorsed A Common Word, it has had traction amongst Canadian Anglicans. In 2012, A Common Word Alberta was formed, made up of local Anglicans, Lutherans, Mennonites, Roman Catholics, etc. on the Christian Side, and Sunnis, Shia, and Ismaili on the Muslim side. Interactions have revolved around scripture study, theological dialogue, shared meals, parish visits, and community service. Dr. Sharman noted that A Common Word is the most successful Muslim-Christian interfaith initiative in history, and sought direction from Council on how to deeper commit to Christian-Muslim dialogue. A motion was put forward affirming the church’s continued participation.
- Subjects
- Interfaith dialogue - Anglican Church of Canada
- Christianity and other religions - Anglican Church of Canada