On 27 June, 90 primary and secondary teachers of religious education from dioceses across England and Wales came together at St John the Evangelist, Islington, to explore the Catholic approach to other faiths and appreciate how other faiths might deepen one’s own understanding of God. The day was organised by the Teachers’ Enterprise in Religious Education (TERE) as the first stage in the development of resources for teachers on other faiths, linked to The Way, the Truth and the Life programme published by TERE.
Dr Chris Hewer, a Catholic academic who has spent many years studying Islam and working with Christians and Muslims on our shared beliefs, led the morning session. After putting the development of the three Abrahamic faiths into their historical context, Dr Hewer focussed on Islam and explored a number of examples of Islamic beliefs and practices, drawing out similarities to and implications for Christians. For the teachers, it was an excellent example of “learning about” and “learning from” another faith.
In the afternoon, Dr Tali Chilson, a Catholic convert from Judaism, illustrated a range of Jewish celebrations, putting them in their religious and social context. She spoke about the Jewish identity and prayer in Judaism – a reminder to the audience that Jesus and the first disciples were Jews, used the Hebrew Bible and worshipped in the temple and synagogue.
The question and answer session that followed illustrated the keen interest the speakers had provoked. Before concelebrating the Mass which ended the day, Cardinal Vincent Nichols commented on the positive impact that the programme has had in the many schools in which it is used. He paid warm and generous tribute to the work of all the teachers and, in particular, to the dedication and inspiration of Sister Marcellina Cooney, CP, who had founded and led TERE over the last 15 years.
For more photos visit the Diocese of Westminster Flickr site
