Plan is to engage in a conversation about faith as Canada reaches its 150th anniversary
OTTAWA (CCN)
While Religious Freedom Ambassador Andrew Bennett awaits news of his future role with Global Affairs Canada, he has taken on the role of senior fellow at the Cardus think tank.
Ambassador Bennett has assumed the role of Chair of the Cabinet of Canadians for Cardus’ Faith in Canada 150 program that will highlight the role faith communities have played since Canada’s founding.
In this volunteer position, Bennett will select and chair the group of “esteemed Canadians,” who will participate in this “cabinet” to engage in a conversation about faith as Canada marks its 150th anniversary, said a March 16 Cardus news release.
“Over the next 18 months, as our sesquicentennial celebrations unfold, Dr. Bennett will lead Canadians of different religious communities in both celebrating and encouraging the importance of faith in our common life,” the release said.
“I look forward very much to working with Cardus, the think tank best placed in my view to reaffirm the essential and foundational role of faith in our common life as Canadians,” said Bennett. “The Faith in Canada 150 initiative provides an excellent opportunity to do so.”
“I will continue to champion the cause of religious freedom in this and other endeavours -a cause that is very much at the centre of my vocation,” he said.
“There is no one better than Ambassador Bennett to pick up the baton as we approach our sesquicentennial – not just to celebrate our country’s birthday, but as we shape who we want to be as a country,” said Cardus president and CEO Michael Van Pelt. “Ambassador Bennett’s deep understanding of how we can live together in difference is essential for this national celebration.
Ambassador Bennett’s three-year contract as religious freedom ambassador ends Mar. 31, as does funding for the office of religious freedom established by the previous Conservative government, but a spokesman for Global Affairs indicated his future role with the ministry as not “been finalized.”
“Dr. Bennett accepted a voluntary and unpaid position with the full support of the Department and remains with the Department,” said Global Affairs spokesman John Babcock. “This is in no way affects his work with us as we consider how best to preserve and protect all human rights, including the vital freedom of religion or belief.”
“Indeed, Dr. Andrew Bennett has shown remarkable ingenuity, sensitivity and competency in serving as head of Canada’s Office for Religious Freedom and we look forward to continuing our work with him as we develop the most effective and appropriate options going forward,” Babcock said.
Cardus is a think tank dedicated to the renewal of North America’s social architecture, or civil society, based on 2,000 years of Christian social teaching. Cardus publishes Convivium and Comment magazines, engages in a range of research projects and public events. Though based in Hamilton, Ontario, Cardus has increased its staff presence in Ottawa and welcomed the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) into its fold, with an official launch of Cardus Family set for June.
