TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny and members of the Government last Thursday attended
their first structured dialogue between State and church, faith
communities, philosophical and non-confessional bodies.
The dialogue was
set up in February 2007 under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty.
However,
no meeting had taken place since the financial crisis hit in September
2008.
Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady told the meeting: “The
churches, faith communities and organisations represented here
contribute immensely to the life of local communities in pastoral,
charitable and volunteer activities . . . there will be opportunities to
work together on issues of common concern. There are so many values we
share together and which give our country soul.”
Archbishop of
Dublin Diarmuid Martin also attended.
The Church of Ireland was
represented by its primate, Archbishop Alan Harper, and Archbishop of
Dublin Michael Jackson.
Present also was the moderator of the
Presbyterian Church, Rev Dr Norman Hamilton, and the president of the
Methodist Church, Rev Paul Kingston.
The Muslim, Jewish, Bah’ai, Quaker and humanist communities were also represented.