5 from Isles at Religious Congress - Parliament of the World's Religions

December 5, 2009
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Religion Section
For Saturday, December 5, 2009
By Star-Bulletin Staff and News Services
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 05, 2009

“5 from isles at religious congress”
Five Oahu residents active in local interfaith events are attending the Parliament of the World's Religions, which opened today in Melbourne, Australia. Saleem Ahmed, who writes and lectures on Islam, and Maryknoll Sister Joan Chatfield are participating in a panel discussion about similarities shared by most religions.
Other local Honolulu attendees in Melbourne are Cecilia Fordham, Ecumenical Officer of the Hawaii Episcopal Diocese; Bishop Stephen Randolph Sykes of the Inclusive Orthodox Church; and Patti Hildeth of the Center for Spiritual Living Windward Oahu.
About 6,000 people were expected to attend the Parliament, which is held every five years. The Dalai Lama is among the many speakers at the event.

“Parliament of the World's Religions: Three Perspectives”

[Photo L-R] Parliament Delegates: Dr Mona R. Bomgaars, MD

Rev Norma Kehrberg - United Methodist Hawaii

IOC Bishop Stephen Randolph Sykes

Ms Cecilia Fordham, Hawaii Episcopal Diocese

Hawaii Catholic Sister Joan Chatfield, MM

January 4, 2010: Interfaith Conversations Windward, A chapter of All Believers Network. Monday, January 4, 2010, 1:00-2:00PM, Pohai Nani Blue Room – 14th Floor, 45-090 Namoku Street, Kane‘ohe, Oahu, Hawai’i

"Parliament of the World's Religions: Three Perspectives" by Sister Joan Chatfield, M.M., Executive Director, Institute of Religion and Social Change, Ms Cecilia Fordham, Ecumenical Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii and Most Rev. Stephen Randolph Sykes, E.O.M.C., Orthodox Bishop of Hawaii of the Inclusive Orthodox Church.

The first Parliament of the World's Religions was held in 1893. Since 1993, it has met every five years and brings together faith leaders, spiritual practitioners, and seekers of the entire human family. Sister Joan, Cecilia, and Bishop Sykes have just returned from the Parliament held this December in Melbourne. This presentation focused on their impressions and perspectives of their experiences at the Parliament's many discussion forums, liturgical celebrations, and plenary sessions.