Clergy and staff at Chichester Cathedral were delighted to host fifty students and their teachers in a
day of learning and activity last Wednesday 27 March. As part of their GCSE Religious Studies Course,
this inspiring interfaith study day provided a valuable opportunity for the young people to meet
speakers from different religious traditions.
The students from local secondary schools came together at the Cathedral to find out more about
the living faiths being practiced in the world today. Representatives from five different places of
worship locally, including a Buddhist Monastery, Gurdwara, Mosque, Synagogue and the Cathedral,
participated in sessions with students to share their faith perspective and answer questions the
students raised. A student reflected: “It was very inspiring and heart-warming to hear about people’s
personal experiences – I don’t know much about these faiths and found it very interesting to learn
more.”
The study day supported the teaching of the examination syllabus with one teacher commenting “All
my students were thrilled with the speakers – the interfaith sessions were excellent and informative.
This was brand new for our students and gave them a deeper understanding of beliefs and
practices.”
The Dean of Chichester, The Very Reverend Stephen Waine, who joined in the study day, said “It is
really important for young people to have the opportunity to meet people from different religious
traditions in person, to have a conversation and develop their understanding. We live in a world
where we hear a lot about intolerance between people of different faiths. In reality, there is so much
common ground and many people from different faith perspectives are working extremely hard to
encourage understanding and respect between people in their communities. The Cathedral is
extremely grateful to our interfaith guests for their generous participation in today’s event and for
making it possible.”
The Cathedral’s Interfaith guests included:
Baljit Kang, Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Crawley
Pamela Hartog, Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo, Imam, Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat, Fareham
Simon Ralfe, Chithurst Buddhist Monastery
Liza Cook, Chichester Cathedral