Urban multifaith councils

Toronto Interfaith Council officially launched in 2007 to help promote dialogue and cooperation among the city's faith traditions

By Paul McKenna
July/August 2008

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The interfaith movement is globalizing. As more and more regions of the world become multiculture and multi-religious environments, the seeds of interfaith cooperation are germinating and yielding fruit. One aspect of this international interfaith conversation is the emergence of multifaith councils in cities all over the world.

Fr. Damian MacPherson, Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs for Toronto Archdiocese, presents Scarboro Missions Golden Rule Poster to Mayor David Miller at the launch of the Toronto Interfaith Council in March 2007. This day marked the largest gathering of faith leaders in the city’s history.

Typically, these councils are composed of representatives of numerous religions who look for ways to cooperate in promoting interfaith cohesion and the common good. Such councils tackle any number of issues including racism, religious discrimination, poverty, violence, and social and economic injustice. Often there is a major emphasis on learning about other faith traditions. This is achieved through educational seminars and visits to houses of worship such as mosques, synagogues, meditation centres, gurdwaras, temples and churches.

The Toronto Interfaith Council, which has been germinating for the last few years, was officially launched on March 20, 2007, when Toronto Mayor David Miller met with representatives of the Council and a multifaith audience of 200 people. This day marked the largest gathering of faith leaders in the city’s history. Thirty-five faith groups and 15 interfaith groups were in attendance.

All speakers, including Mayor Miller, called for new levels of dialogue and cooperation among Toronto’s rich array of faith traditions. “We can show the world how to live together, and that’s a powerful Toronto value,” Mayor Miller said.

City Councillor Joe Mihevc, a Roman Catholic with a background in teaching theology and also a strong supporter of the Interfaith Council said, “The city’s motto is not that diversity is something we will tolerate, it is that diversity will make us stronger.”

Paul McKenna is coordinator of the Scarboro Missions Department of Interfaith Dialogue.

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