It is the New Year, a time that marks beginnings, and it also coincides with the end of the Christmas season and the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. Scripture records that as Christ emerged from the waters of the Jordan, “the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:16-17). This feast celebrates the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. A ministry which was to embrace all peoples despite their status, the circumstances of their life, the culture, and conditions in which they live. Through our baptism we share in this call, this mission of service through the continued outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit who can renew our strength, courage, and fortitude in the midst of the challenges we currently face with the pandemic.

The New Year also brings with it the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25 and the International Day of Human Fraternity on February 4. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2022 is, “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship Him” (Mt 2:2).  The theme speaks to the pressing need globally for solidarity and fraternity in the face of economic, political, and social turmoil, including the challenges and injustices which the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted. This celebration will be an opportunity to pray for the unity that God desires for all of creation.  It is this unity of persons which sows the seeds of mutual understanding that inspires justice, peace, and solidarity.

On December 21, 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200 declaring February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. It is now observed annually in order to heighten our awareness and focus upon human fraternity, solidarity, justice, and peace.  It is significant that the evolution of thought and work toward this resolution included Pope Francis and came as the result of Christian-Muslim cooperation. The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity provided the UN Chief with a message from Pope Francis and the Grand Imam, proposing that February 4 be designated as the annual International Day of Human Fraternity.

The UN resolution included three clauses specifically directed toward the religions of the world:
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• Expressing deep concern at those acts that advocate religious hatred and thereby undermine the spirit of tolerance and respect for diversity, especially at a time when the world confronts the unprecedented crisis caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which requires a global response based on unity, solidarity and renewed multilateral cooperation,
  
  
• Recognizing the valuable contribution of people of all religions or beliefs to humanity and the contribution that dialogue among all religious groups can make towards an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind,
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• Underlining the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions or beliefs and of education in the promotion of tolerance, which involves  the acceptance by the public of and its respect for religious and cultural diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining further the fact that education, in particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief, …

These values of tolerance, respect, engagement, dialogue, and understanding which are articulated in the resolution are also expressed with the depth of our Faith in the encyclical letter on fraternity and social friendship, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis released on October 3, 2020.

When this recognition of each other’s dignity is present, Pope Francis describes the sense of fraternity and solidarity that is fostered, a fraternity which cannot overlook the sufferings or injustices of another person.

Pope Francis speaks to the people, the generation of this time to urge a fraternity among all people rooted in the recognition of each person’s dignity.

​Let us join together in praying for that universal aspiration to social fraternity.

Letters

• Joint Statement by CCCB and the Canadian Council of Imams Condemning the Terrorist Attacks in Sri Lanka. Read here
• Letter to Bishop of Badulla from CCCB. Read here
• Statement from Canadian Council of Imams regarding the Sri Lanka Attack. Read here

Message from CIC
The Calgary Interfaith Council strongly condemns the cowardly and inhumane terrorist attack against Christians, foreign tourists, and the people of Sri Lanka that took the lives of 300 innocent men, women, and children.  The attack was particular heinous in that it took place in sacred spaces on a religious holiday.  Such contempt for religious freedom undermines any semblance of humanity on the part of the terrorists who cannot hide behind the veil of any religious tradition for their legitimacy.  We offer prayers of condolence and our resources to enable the victims of this terrorism to mourn their losses and restore themselves in dignity and compassion.

Calgary Interfaith Council | Statement of Solidarity
​in the Wake of the New Zealand Mosque Massacre
March 15, 2019
 
The Calgary Interfaith Council strongly condemns the hatred and violence that took the lives of 49 innocent Muslim worshippers and injured many more in the unprovoked attack on the twin mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.  No one should ever fear for their safety when attending a house of worship and such a desecration of the fundamental right to practice one’s religion is abhorrent to all peace loving people.
 
The Calgary Interfaith Council works tirelessly to promote understanding and harmony among diverse religious traditions and to build bridges of respect and cooperation here in Calgary and beyond.  We call upon our fellow Calgarians to raise their voices of repudiation of hatred and violence and to reach out to the Muslim community with words and acts of condolence in this distressing moment.
 
We further call upon religious leaders of all traditions to devote a portion of their worship service over this weekend to offering prayers of support and comfort to the Muslim community in New Zealand and to exploring ways that use the power of our religious values and institutions to foster the spread of respect, love and harmony so as to overwhelm the darkness of enmity and intolerance.
 
Calgary Interfaith Council Leadership Team
Malik Ashraf, Pastor Wallace Bornhuse, Sister Ger Curran, Rev. Debra Faulk, Rabbi Mark Glickman, Dalton Harding, Rev. Dave Holmes, Rev. Adrian Martens, Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, Imam Azfar Rizvi, Imam Fayaz Tilly            

Note from Rabbi Shaul Osadchey (Co-chair, CIC): Two vigils planned for today (March 15) which we encourage you to attend:  2 pm at the Genesis Center and 7 pm at City Hall.