Peterborough residents are being invited to support a ‘One
Voice, One Community’ commitment of cohesion and tolerance at two
events being staged on Sunday 5 December and Sunday 12 December
2010.
The first event invites people to sign an interfaith statement
affirming that they ‘value highly the diversity of the city and the
contribution different communities make to the wellbeing and
quality of life in our city’.
The statement has the support of Peterborough’s Faith and
Cohesion Network, the Imams Council, the Interfaith Council and
Churches Together in Central Peterborough. It will be initiated by
Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Rev Donald Allister, and other faith
leaders at Peterborough Cathedral at 4.45pm on Sunday 5
December.
A procession will take the statement to the Town Hall where
Peterborough Mayor councillor Keith Sharp will inaugurate a
commemorative book that will be available for signing by all
residents.
The second event will be a candle-lit vigil on Cathedral Green
on Sunday 12 December from 4.30pm to 5.15pm. There will be songs,
readings and a pledge of tolerance involving residents together
with representatives from churches, mosques and other centres of
worship, schools and community groups.
Father David Jennings from All Souls’ Church said: “Peterborough
is notable for the admirable way people live in harmony and the
city enjoys excellent community cohesion.
“Our residents come from many different nationalities and
backgrounds and we have high regard for each other’s cultures and
beliefs. These events are an opportunity for ordinary citizens to
show that we stand together against all who seek to divide our
communities and sow seeds of distrust.”
The Peterborough inter-faith statement
reads as follows:
We, leaders of faith communities in
Peterborough, value highly the diversity of the city and the
contribution different communities make to the wellbeing and
quality of life in our city. We welcome all that happens to
celebrate that rich diversity, within the context of our commitment
to the unity of the city of Peterborough.
We share a common belief and conviction
that the human race is one through its origin in the one creative
act of God; and whatever our religious background we commit
ourselves to reconciliation and unity. We stand together against
all who seek to divide our communities and sow the seeds of
distrust between them.
We fully endorse the words spoken by Her
Majesty the Queen in welcoming Pope Benedict on his state
visit:
“Your Holiness, in recent times you
have said that ‘religions can never become vehicles of hatred, that
never by invoking the name of God can evil and violence be
justified. Today, in this country, we stand united in that
conviction. We hold that freedom to worship is at the core of
our tolerant and democratic society”.
We will continue to work with all people of
goodwill to encourage mutual respect, valuing the dignity of every
person and we encourage all citizens of Peterborough to do the
same.
Ends