One of the outcomes of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was the "Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions," often referred to by its Latin title of Nostra Aetate. This declaration among other things calls on Catholics everywhere to work with people of other religious traditions in a spirit of mutual respect, to increase understanding of each other's faith.
Origins of Westminster Interfaith
Reverend Gerald Mahon, the Catholic Bishop of London, had worked on this document during the Council. In furtherance of the aim of increased dialogue between faiths in 1981, Bishop Mahon asked a Frenchman living in Southall in London to work full-time in the area of interfaith.
The Frenchman was Brother Daniel Faivre, of the monastic order of Brothers of St Gabriel. Accordingly, Brother Daniel set up what has become known as the Westminster Interfaith group, with Brother Daniel as its first Director. It was set up as a place where people of different faiths could meet regularly to exchange information, visit each other's places of worship and attend each other's religious festivals etc.
Southall, located in West London, has a very rich cultural and religious diversity. Many of the residents are immigrants or are descendants of immigrants from places such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Africa and Sri Lanka. There are several mosques and also Sikh gurdwaras, as well as Christian churches. It is therefore an excellent place for practising interfaith dialogue. Brother Daniel lived in Southall for the last twenty-eight years of his life, until his death in 2007. He spent many hours visiting people, knocking on doors, encouraging them to reach out and share with others of a different culture or faith.
Although there have been several changes of Director since Brother Daniel retired from the post, Westminster Interfaith continues to thrive and to be an important agent for promoting interfaith dialogue.
The Peace Pilgrimage
Perhaps Brother Daniel's most successful initiative is the annual Peace Pilgrimage, which first took place in 1986. It takes place each year during the first weekend of June. Sometimes it is on the Sunday, but usually it is on the Saturday. It starts at about 8.30 in the morning, and the pilgrims walk from one place of worship to another.
At each stop, they are welcomed by someone from that place of worship, who will explain something about the work that they do there, and their traditions, and they are always happy to answer questions from the pilgrims about their particular faith. At some places there is an opportunity to say prayers together, or just to be in silence.
At some of the places of worship, refreshments are provided. Lunch is always provided by the Sachkhand Nanak Dham organisation, who do so as part of their spiritual practice. Very often, a Sikh gurdwara is the final destination of the day, where a simple Indian supper is served as langar (communal meal).
Just as important as these visits to places of worship, is the opportunity that walking together provides to engage in conversation with fellow pilgrims. Some walk on the pilgrimage all day, others join for part of the journey. At any one time, there will be anywhere between 200 to 300 people, walking together through the streets of London, getting to know people from another religious tradition. Many return year after year, renewing old friendships and making new ones.
As the pilgrimage passes through the streets of London, on a different route each year, many passersby stop and ask questions of the pilgrims, wanting to know the purpose of their march. In these times of uncertainty, and suspicion between disparate groups, the Multifaith Pilgrimage is one small way in which barriers can be broken down and replaced by new connections, by new understanding.
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