As coordinator of the ministry for Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Deacon Richard Chau steers the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s efforts to foster relations and cooperation between Catholics and other faith communities. Two recent events – one with Lutherans and another with the Jewish community – show that those efforts are bearing fruit.

“Our office is working to foster dialogues of love, truth, and life at each local parish,” Deacon Chau told The B.C. Catholic. “We do this in order to bring forth visible authentic ecumenical and interfaith witness as a beacon of light for Christ in the local community.”

On Oct. 30, about 75 Catholics and Lutherans gathered at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam for a prayer service dubbed “All Saints Together.” Organizers chose the date to coincide with Protestants’ Reformation Sunday celebration and the All Saints’ Day commemoration shared by both churches.

The evening recognized the fact that all Christians are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. “It was a moving moment when Lutheran Bishop Kathy Martin and Archbishop J. Michael Miller poured water into the baptismal font and from it the aspergillums were filled for the two bishops to sprinkle the holy water over the congregation,” Deacon Chau said.

Catholics and Lutherans gathered at St. Clare of Assisi Church in Coquitlam for a prayer service dubbed “All Saints Together.”

Roundtable discussions followed at which members of the two faith communities talked about common issues centering on Christian engagement with the world. The conversations led not only to increased understanding but also to mutual encouragement and collaboration, Deacon Chau said.

In September, Catholics and Jews met for an interfaith dialogue centering on an exploration of the Book of Jonah. The event, which attracted 173 for dinner and discussion, took place at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Vancouver, chosen as as a show of solidarity with Ukrainians during the present crisis.

The evening featured a discussion between Father Nick Meisl, pastor of St. Peter’s in New Westminster, and Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, of Congregation Beth Israel in Vancouver. Father Meisl, who also lectures on Old and New Testament subjects, said he was encouraged and enlightened by the discussion.

“Part of this is just to listen to each other. To hear the way the Book of Jonah is interpreted in the Jewish tradition was just very enriching,” he said. “From a Catholic perspective, I spoke about how we view the book oftentimes through the lens of the Gospels, because Jesus speaks about the sign of Jonah.”

Rabbi Jonathan Infeld
Father Nick Meisl

The Gospel of Matthew relates Jonah’s restoration after three days and three night inside the great fish to Jesus’s own resurrection. The Gospel of Luke puts the focus on how people respond to Jesus’ proclamation in contrast to those who heard the proclamation of Jonah.

Father Meisl said the Book of Jonah is treasured by both communities and that listening to Rabbi Infeld was “very enriching and very valuable” not only because it gave him new insight into the book but also because it served to strengthen bonds between the two faiths.

“When we are with one another we listen to one another, speak to one another, get to hear each other’s perspectives; we see more and more connection with each other; we appreciate one another,” he said. “These are always really joyful moments.”

Father Meisl acknowledged that Jewish and Christian people interpret shared Scripture differently, “and that’s OK. It’s historical reality, and we can be honest about where we’re coming from, and obviously we then learn from each other’s perspective.”

Rabbi Infeld told The B.C. Catholic that the Book of Jonah is read on the holiest and most important day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. “It is a short and accessible text with deep and extremely relevant meaning,” he said. “Jonah’s themes of repentance, mortality, and community are relevant to all human beings.”

Catholics and Jews meet for an interfaith dialogue centering on an exploration of the Book of Jonah.  

He said the discussion “gave us all the opportunity to grow as human beings and in our own particular religious tradition. As Jews we deeply appreciated that we were all studying a text that is so incredibly relevant to us at such an important time of the year.”

Father Meisl’s insight into traditional Catholic interpretation of the Book of Jonah was excellent, Rabbi Infeld said, adding that he and his fellow Jews “were delighted to meet in the beautiful Ukrainian Church. The tour of its stained glass windows was certainly a highlight of the evening. The fact that we all ate a Kosher certified meal together in the church’s social space speaks to the fact of how far our two communities have already come in terms of our friendship and connection.”

The interfaith-dialogue of the past several years has been “a great opportunity for the Jewish and Catholic community to learn together and develop friendships,” he said. “They have given us great insight into each other’s theology, daily religious life, and modes of celebration.

“But the most important outcome has been the developed bonds of mutual respect and connection.  The Archdiocese has done incredible work in spearheading these efforts. Congregation Beth Israel is extremely grateful for all the work that the Archdiocese has put into these meetings.”

Deacon Chau said the next event on his ministry’s calendar is a Nov. 26 workshop at St. Peter’s. “The workshop aims aims to equip and support parish representatives,” he said. This year’s workshop will focus on two Vatican II documents, Unitatis Redintegratio and Nostra Aetate.

Father Meisl told The B.C. Catholic that the latter document is particularly relevant to Catholics’ relationships with Jews because it specifically rejects persecution of Jews and encourages recognition of the two faiths’ common spiritual patrimony.

Next year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held the week of January 18-25. Its theme will be “Do good, seek justice.”

Deacon Chau said the phrase, which is from the Book of Isaiah, reminds him of an excerpt from the Book of Micah: “He has shown you, O moral, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your god.”

“With growing divisions of superpowers happening in the world today, we Christians can take heed and learn from the old prophet’s warning,” he said.

Nov. 26 workshop on Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations

On Nov. 26, St. Peter’s in New Westminster will host the second annual workshop for parish representatives on Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations. The workshop will equip and support parish reps serving in their parish with their pastors. This year’s workshop will focus on Vatican II documents Unitatis Redintegratio and Nostra Aetate as well as planning for the 2023 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January. The workshop will end with Mass and Father Nick Meisl commissioning and blessing ministry members.

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