On Christmas Eve 2024, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, signalling the beginning of the great Year of Jubilee. This, however, is not the only cause for celebration this year. In 2025, the Church also marks a number of significant anniversaries: the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’; 175 years since the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in England & Wales (meaning both the 175th anniversary of this Diocese & London’s leading Catholic University, St Mary’s, Twickenham) and 60 years since the close of the Second Vatican Council.
One of the final documents to be published by the Council Fathers 60 years ago was the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, entitled, Nostra Aetate.
For the Church, this provides a foundational theological teaching on interreligious dialogue, upon which Westminster Interfaith continues to build today.
This year, Westminster Interfaith will be inviting key figures in the field of interreligious dialogue to reflect on the impact of Nostra Aetate, and the new opportunities this teaching presents to us.
This Jubilee Year, the Holy Father has given us the theme: Pilgrims of Hope. It is the perfect theme for those of us engaging in interreligious dialogue. It reminds us, not only that there can be hope for our world, but that this hope is best expressed in relation, when we walk alongside each other.
Another tenet of hope is that it must be underpinned by prayer. At the end of 2024 (the Year of Prayer) Westminster Interfaith hosted an event in partnership with the Christian Muslim Forum – Every Day I Praise You: Female Perspectives on Prayer.
We were delighted to be joined by Sr Dr Cathy Jones, a sister of the Religious of the Assumption community in Twickenham, and Shaykha Saleha Islam Bukhari, Islamic Scholar and Chaplain at the Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy team. After an introduction from Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Co-Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum, both women explored prayer in their religious traditions.
Sr Cathy spoke about the dynamic of prayer, of her calling to be with the staff and students at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. To come before the Lord before and after each encounter, with a home-sick or love-sick student, a grieving member of staff or those burdened by heavy workloads and deadlines. And at the same time, knowing that God desires to be with her too, finding reassurance and expectant hope in his gentle call.
Shaykha Saleha spoke about the rhythm of prayer in her life, constantly calling her back to Allah throughout the day. From the first light of dawn, her day begins with morning prayer, a renewal of promise to the Creator. At noon, as her mind focused on her work, now it refocuses on the Divine. As the shadows lengthen, afternoon prayer gives her a moment to pause and ponder. Evening prayer brings a reminder of the day’s end and in the quiet darkness of night, the day ends as it began, in prayer.
Alongside our guest speakers, we were delighted to welcome esteemed guests in the field of Christian Muslim dialogue including Cardinal Michael Louis Fitzgerald, M. Afr. OBE (former President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and former Papal Nuncio to Egypt); Shenaz Bunglawala (Director of the Christian Muslim Forum) and Dr Chris Hewer (a leading academic in Christian-Muslim relations).
Our dialogue on prayer grounded us in contemplation of the Divine, and we turn to this new year with hope. Globally, interreligious relationships are strained, peace is no guarantee, and yet, our work is more important than ever. And so, despite the many difficulties, we walk on with our friends from other religions, as we become, Pilgrims of Hope.
If you would like to learn more about the work of Westminster Interfaith, take a look at our resources or contact our Coordinator, please see our page on the website.
