Westminster Interfaith is the agency in the Diocese that oversees interreligious dialogue. In its simplest form, Pope St John Paul II described dialogue as 'a way of living in positive relationship with others' (Meeting God in Friend and Stranger (CBCEW), 2010, §2).
Practicing the Church's call to interreligious dialogue can help us to see people of other religions not in opposition to us, but in relation to us. It is a teaching that encourages Catholics to view everyone ‘created, as they are, in the image of God’ (Nostra Aetate, 1965, §5).
Founded in 1981, Westminster Interfaith works to live out this call to promote dialogue, respect and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of other religions in the Diocese of Westminster.
If you are interested in being kept up to date with the work of Westminster Interfaith, including our upcoming events, please sign up for our newsletter here.
Or, if you would like to get in touch with our Interfaith Coordinator, please email westminsterinterfaith@rcdow.org.uk or click here.
Pope Leo XIV's Opening Sermon: You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter, so we can all be one people, always in peace
In his first words to the Church and the World, Pope Leo XIV encouraged us to "keep in our ears the weak but always brave voice of Pope Francis, who blessed Rome — the Pope who blessed Rome and the world that day on the morning of Easter".
Pope Leo continued, "Allow me to continue that same blessing. God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward. We are disciples of Christ, Christ goes before us, and the world needs his light. Humanity needs him like a bridge to reach God and his love. You help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter, so we can all be one people, always in peace".
The Holy Father concluded his sermon with an encouragement "to be a missionary church, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square (St Peter's Square, Rome), open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love".
Westminster Interfaith continues to use dialogue and encounter to build bridges towards unity, always in peace.
We join the whole Catholic community in praying for Pope Leo XIV, that he may lead the Church with humility and love, bravely working to bring peace to a troubled world.
