Story updated April 21 to include comments from Deacon Richard Chau.
Two prominent religious leaders in Vancouver want to discuss how the pandemic has affected their faith communities and are welcoming the public to join the conversation.
Catholic Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, and Rabbi Jonathan Infeld of Congregation Beth Israel will have a fireside-style chat May 12. Their discussion will be streamed live on Zoom and YouTube and followed by a Q&A.
“I think people are interested because religious leaders are looked up to and it’s expected that they continue to care for us during this pandemic,” said Deacon Richard Chau, the archdiocese’s new coordinator of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.
It’s not the first time Archbishop Miller and Rabbi Infeld have encouraged their communities to sit down and discuss significant topics. They hosted a public exchange on the origins and value of Christmas and Hanukkah in 2018, of Easter and Passover in 2019, and of the Book of Esther in early 2020. At least 200 people of various religious backgrounds participated in each event.
“We have had a lot of dialogue in the last few years, trying to understand each side’s tradition. There are a lot of common historical reasons behind that,” said Deacon Chau.
“It’s good to continue that dialogue and understand and appreciate each other. We’re all part of Abraham’s family.”
With pandemic restrictions in place this year, the archbishop and the rabbi, perhaps along with an emcee and a camera operator, will be the only ones in the room at this live production. Hundreds of people are expected to tune in to the stream to listen as they share their thoughts.
Registration is required. More information here.
