Bendigo Interfaith Council to present Statement of Intent


The Bendigo Interfaith Council will today present its Statement of Intent to the Mayor outlining its commitment to promote the human right that everybody has a right to choose their own religion and to practice their faith, and to advocate on social justice issues.

Leaders of local faith-based communities have formed the Council to increase acceptance, harmony and inclusion of religious differences in the community. It includes representatives from Catholic, Islam, Sikh, Buddhist, Uniting Church, Judaism and Anglican faiths.

The City of Greater Bendigo has provided a supporting role in the establishment of the Council.

City Community Wellbeing Director Pauline Gordon said this was the first time, locally, faith representatives have come together for a strategic purpose.

“Interfaith councils are popular throughout Victoria and the development of one in Bendigo reflects the increasing diversity within our community and the commitment of religious leaders to work together,” Ms Gordon said. 

“The Council has an important role to promote respect and equality of different faiths, and to encourage residents, both religious and non-religious, to put aside any intolerance or prejudices.”

The Council co-chaired by Monsignor Frank Marriot and Heri Febriyanto.

Monsignor Marriot said the time has come for Bendigo to have an Interfaith Council.

“There has been a change in the social mix of the Bendigo community that hasn’t been seen previously and that, in a sense, demands that we look at the faith situation,” he said.

“Recent changes include the building of the Great Stupa, the coming of the Sikh and Karen communities and the reestablishment of the Hebrew congregation Kehillah S’dot Zahav.

“It is important to form a dialogue between different faiths and the Interfaith Council will seek to promote this.”

Mr Febriyanto said the benefit of the Council was to improve people’s understanding of various faiths.

“It aims to create awareness, understanding and dialogue through building relationships that nurture harmony, deepen understanding and respect in the community,” he said.

“The leaders will come together, get to know and share each other’s faiths and then be able to share this understanding with their communities.”

STATEMENT OF INTENT

We, as representatives of different faith based communities in Bendigo, offer a common commitment to seek to live together in equality, peace and goodwill.  This desire arises not only from our common humanity but also from our being people of faith.

We affirm our desire to promote understanding, respect and equality of different faiths in Greater Bendigo and celebrate the richness that diversity of beliefs and cultures bring to our community.  We support human rights of all people, both locally and internationally.

We recognise that as local faith leaders and representatives we have responsibilities to our respective faith based communities, the broader municipality and ourselves.  We therefore encourage all residents, both religious and non-religious, to put aside intolerance, prejudice and divisiveness, to foster peaceful and inclusive co-existence in the City of Greater Bendigo.

For more information visit City of Greater Bendigo