Press Releases15 Oct 04

CMS Ireland to discuss Christian/Moslem relationships

CMS IRELAND TO DISCUSS CHRISTIAN/MOSLEM RELATIONSHIPS

The Church Mission Society Ireland has arranged a visit to Egypt during the week Monday 18th to Friday 22nd October, at the invitation of the Anglican Bishop in Egypt, the Rt Rev Dr Mouneer Anis. Participants, from the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, will discuss experiences from the conflict in Ireland which have a bearing on Christian/ Moslem relationships.

The main focus will be a Seminar on Thursday 17th October in Cairo at which more than 100 delegates are expected from the Islamic, Christian, Coptic, civil and diplomatic communities in Egypt. The theme will be; Catholic and Protestant Perspectives on the Conflict in Ireland.

The delegation will visit the Al-Azhar Mosque to meet with His Eminence Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, Grand Iman of al-Azhar, Dr. Ali El Samman, Vice President, and Sheikh Fawzy El Zefzaf President, Permanent Committee of al-Azhar for Dialogue with the Monotheistic Religions.

The delegates will also meet with His Holiness Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Church, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop Marco Dino Brogi.

Delegates will also meet with the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Amer Moussa, Secretary General of Arab League and officials at the British and Irish Embassies.

The Delegation will include The Most Rev John Neill, Anglican Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev John McAreavey, Roman Catholic Bishop of Dromore, the Rev Professor RAB Mollan, President of CMS Ireland, the Rev Patrick Comerford, Southern Regional Coordinator CMS Ireland and the Rev Canon Cecil Wilson, General Secretary CMS Ireland.