‘Epiphany Explorations’ In Deed

Editorials

‘Epiphany Explorations’ In Deed

Volume 26  Issue 1 & 2 | Posted: February 28, 2012

The Oxford English dictionary entry for catholic reads: “Universal, of interest or use to all, all-embracing, of wide sympathies or interests.” A former editor of Island Catholic News w

The Oxford English dictionary entry for catholic reads: “Universal, of interest or use to all, all-embracing, of wide sympathies or interests.” A former editor of Island Catholic News was fond of citing this expansive, ambitious meaning.

Certainly our cover story this edition, in its wider implications, tends to tie together the entire issue in its multi-faith dimensions.

The desecration of the Jewish cemetery in Victoria shocked so many people that the community show of support response was massive and immediately healing on some important levels. It also brought forth the issue of Jewish-Christian relations at a key time in Canadian history.

Another story by Dale Perkins, a retired United Church minister, about why he wishes to do a fact-finding tour to Palestine with the Israel-Palestine project underlines Muslim, Jewish and Christian relations in an attempt to get the difficult Middle East story in perspective.

Muslim progressive and philanthropist Naz Rayani’s profile story in the same section of the newspaper underlines the emerging theme of faithful integration of the shared values of the three revealed religions.

Naz may be remembered by Roman Catholics as one of the first to offer support to the Diocese of Victoria when it ran into financial difficulties twelve years ago. He is mentioned for that in my book The ‘Vindication’ of Remi De Roo.

In a nice synchronicity, coincidentally, the new Franciscan Friar at St. Joseph’s Friary in Victoria, Rev. Anthony (Tony) Gonsalves is doing a four-part series on Islam at St. Patrick’s parish during February. A progressive cleric, Father Tony served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish a few years back.

A native of Pakistan, a Muslim State, Father Anthony  came of age in this predominantly Muslim context. The pastoral ministry of his Catholic priesthood was developed in this context. His talks started February 1 and conclude February 29. (No talk on Ash Wednesday, February 22.)

His second talk February 8 which I had the pleasure of attending, was on ‘The Pillars of Islam’ which he numbered at six and include – Declaration, Prayers, Alms giving, Fasting, Pilgrimage and the controversial Defence of the Faith also known as jihad. He did not shy from speaking about Osama bin Laden and the legacy of September 11, 2001. He said that the place of his death was a site he often visited with students years prior.

The ease with which this Christian minister speaks in depth and detail of Islam is a revelation of the possibilities of multi-faith appreciation. Hopefully, he may be able to be encouraged to redo the series or put it on video for general distribution. On February 8, the crowd in the meeting room at St. Patrick’s had swelled to over a hundred.

In addition, certainly the Epiphany Explorations conference report in the centre spread of this issue is consonant with the general direction of this thematic thrust. Paul Bramadat, Director of the Centre of Studies in Religion and Society, presented a fascinating talk on Post-Colonial Christianity at the Epiphany Explorations Conference. The problem of residue from European colonialism presents some intriguing anomalies in the presentation of the Christian faith or any faith in a dramatically shifting era.

As Christianity endeavours to move beyond its Colonial roots and wrestle with its emerging identity for the future, clearly the multi-faith dimension is part of a progressive and prophetic Catholicism. Canadian Catholicism’s current stage of triumphalistic submersion beneath the wave of Asian ‘Catholic’ immigration offers an opportunity for more serious integration.

After all the Oxford English dictionary entry for catholic reads: “Universal, of interest or use to all, all-embracing, of wide sympathies or interests.”