Second Interfaith Symposium "Forgiveness"

On Sunday, 8 August 2004 at the Yarra Theological Union, Box Hill, Bishop Christopher Prowse opened the Second Interfaith Symposium which was sponsored by the Catholic Interfaith Committee of the Archdiocese. The theme of the Symposium was ‘Forgiveness’, particularly appropriate at this juncture in history where a world of conflict and division calls all to forgive and to accept forgiveness.
The speakers shared the teaching and experience of forgiveness within their different religious traditions. They were Melissa Brickell (NATSICC); Rabbi Ralph Genende (College Rabbi at Mt Scopus and Congregational Rabbi of Beit Haron); Venerable Phuoc Tan (of the Quang Minh Buddhist Temple, Braybrook); Sheik Isse Musse (Imam of the West Melbourne Mosque). Fr John Dupuche, Chair of the Catholic Interfaith Committee, led the Symposium, presided.
About 80 people attended the Symposium which was notable for the sense of vitality. The interfaith gatherings are a sign of hope for the future harmony of our community.

Fr John Dupuche with Rabbi Ralph Genende	Charles Stewart with Sheik Isse Musse
Venerable Phuoc Tan	Melissa Brickell (right) in conversation
The crowd	Interfaith display