Dialogue and Unity
THE DEPARTMENT OF DIALOGUE AND UNITY
The Department of Dialogue and Unity sets out to engage in Dialogue and Outreach with other Christian Traditions and Other Faiths. This is achieved through the work of each Bishop within the Department, supported by the Department Committees. The Department is committed to engage with the agenda of social cohesion within Society in England and Wales.
This department’s primary focus is Christian Unity and interfaith dialogue. The Committee for Christian Unity provides the Bishops' Conference with up-to-date briefings on the Catholic Church's relations with other Christian traditions.
The Department has three permanent Committees Christian Unity, Catholic-Jewish Relations (CCJR) and Other Faiths (COF). These are managed by a Bishop Chair and Committee Secretary who are then supported by Committee Members.
The department also liaises with the Ecumenical Instruments: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), Churches Together in England (CTE) and Churches Together in Wales (CYTUN).
Below are the department's three permanent committees;
Committee for Catholic/Jewish Relations (CCJR)
To foster the relationship between the Church and the Jewish people, thus implementing the official teaching of the Church; to promote an understanding of the living faith of Judaism and the Jewish roots of Christianity; to encourage dialogue and reconciliation; to eradicate anti-semitism wherever it is found.
Committee for Christian Unity (CCU)
To monitor ecumenical progress in England and Wales; to represent the Conference on various ecumenical committees and, through the Department of Dialogue & Unity, to provide the Conference with background information with regard to all matters of ecumenical concern.
Committee for Other Faiths (COF)
This Committee helps Catholics deepen their faith by promoting a greater awareness and understanding of other faiths, through dialogue, prayer and action in the light of the Church's teaching. The Committee also organises conferences and endeavours to support the work of Diocesan Interfaith Co-ordinators, Catholic chaplains and all those engaged in Catholic education and formation.
BISHOPS AND STAFF:
BISHOPS:
The Bishops of the Department have areas of responsibility and are assisted by committee Secretaries. Overall management of the Department is the responsibility of the Assistant General Secretary, assisted by the Department Administrator.
Most Rev. Kevin McDonald Archbishop of Southwark
Chair, Department of Dialogue & Unity (DDU), Committees for Other Faiths (COF) and Catholic-Jewish Relations (CCJR)
Rt. Rev. Michael Evans Bishop of East Anglia
Chair, Committee for Christian Unity (CCU) and Co-Chair, British Methodist-Roman Catholic Committee (BMeRCC)
Rt. Rev. Paul Hendricks Southwark
Bishop Representative on Ecumenical Instruments (Auxiliary in Southwark)
Rt. Rev. Declan Lang Bishop of Clifton
Co-Chair, English Anglican-Roman Catholic Committee (EARC) and United Reformed Church-Roman Catholic Committee (URCRC)
Rt. Rev. Hugh Lindsay Hexham & Newcastle
Episcopal Member (Retired)
Rt. Rev. Philip Pargeter Birmingham
Episcopal Member (Auxiliary in Birmingham)
STAFF:
Monsignor Andrew J. Faley
Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs and Acting Secretary, Committee for Christian Unity (CCU)
Mrs. Victoria Akinyode
PA to Andrew Faley & Department Administrator
OTHERS:
Sr. Clare Jardine
Secretary, Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations (CCJR)
Mrs. Ann Noonan
Secretary, Committee for Other Faiths
Tel: 020 7901 4841
Fax: 020 7901 4821