Network of Inter Faith European and North American Concerns (NIFENAC)

The inaugural meeting of the Network of Inter Faith European and North American Concerns (NIFENAC) took place on Monday (10 September 2018) in Ireland. The Church of Ireland Centre was delighted to host this inaugural meeting of Anglicans from Ireland and beyond engaging in, and with, inter faith dialogue.

The meeting was chaired by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson. The meeting was hosted by the Director of the Church of Ireland Centre of Dublin City University (DCU), the Revd Prof Anne Lodge in conjunction with Prof Ethna Regan, School of Theology, Philosophy, Music at the university.

This initial gathering engaged people from the Church of Ireland, Church of England and Church in Wales with members of DCU staff and members of the Dublin City Interfaith Forum to share experiences of interfaith dialogue and plans for development. Also present were participants from Lambeth Palace, the Anglican Communion Office and the Diocese of Europe.

NIFENAC is one of five regional groups which, while operating independently, will feed into the work of the Anglican Inter Faith Commission which was launched at the Primates Meeting in Canterbury in October 2017. The Commission¡¯s remit is to bring mutual understanding and to build trust between different faith groups where there is ignorance, fear and hostility.

The meeting was opened by Bishop Michael Ipgrave of the Church of England who is a member of the Commission. Participants engaged with members of the Dublin Interfaith Forum as part of the conversations of the day. They also shared experiences, insights and questions about inter faith dialogue and engagement. A reflection to conclude the day¡¯s deliberations was offered by Dr Peter Admirand of the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue at DCU.

Participants expect to continue to meet annually and look forward to their 2019 meeting in Wales.

NIFENAC comprises Anglicans and others who share a concern for interfaith issues in their region. Those attending Monday¡¯s inaugural meeting included:

Archbishop Michael Jackson (Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin);

Bishop Michael Ipgrave (Church of England);

Adrian Cristae (Dublin City Interfaith Forum);

Dr Peter Admirand (Centre for Interreligious Dialogue DCU);

Kat Brealey (Church of England);

Revd Tricia Hillas (Church of England);

Revd Richard Sudworth (Church of England);

Katie Hodkinson (Lambeth Palace);

Dr Ethna Reagan (School of Theology, Philosophy and Music DCU);

Swami Purnananda Puri (Dublin City Interfaith Forum);

Revd Dr John Kafwanka (Anglican Commission Office);

Revd Dr Ainsley Griffiths (Church in Wales);

Revd Prof Anne Lodge (Church of Ireland Centre DCU);

Revd Flora Winfield (Church of England);

Revd Bonnie Hills-Evans (Church of England);

Revd Susanne Cousins (Church of Ireland);

Revd Aled Edwards (Church in Wales);

Clare Amos (Diocese of Europe);

Philip McKinley (DCU Anglican Chaplain);

Iman Arslaan Khan (Dublin City Interfaith Forum);

Revd Myozan Kodo (Dublin City Interfaith Forum).