SINGAPORE (LiCAS News): William Cardinal Goh of Singapolre described the city state’s religious harmony as a “hard-won and precious asset to the nation’s social fabric” as the Catholic Church hosted leaders of the major faiths and senior government officials for an interfaith dialogue.
A gathering in June at St. Joseph’s Church [Victoria Street] brought together 63 religious and community leaders from Singapore’s National Steering Committee and the Working Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony for discussions on strengthening trust and understanding among the country’s ethnic and religious communities, according to Catholic News SG.
The National Steering Committee, whose members represent Singapore’s major faith traditions, meets twice a year, with participating religious communities taking turns hosting the dialogue.
Cardinal Goh, a member of the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony, said exchanges among faith communities have helped sustain Singapore’s tradition of peaceful coexistence.
“Exchanges such as these help us learn more about each other’s faith and culture, and grow in friendship and harmony. When we are friends, problems that arise become easier to solve,” he said.
The dialogue also drew senior government officials, including Ong Ye Kung, coordinating minister for social policies and minister for health; David Neo, acting minister for culture, community and youth; Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, acting minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and senior minister of state for home affairs; and Alex Yam.
The programme opened with a tour of the 114-year-old church led by members of its Tour and Heritage Ministry, who traced the parish’s history from its origins in the Portuguese Catholic mission to its incorporation into the Archdiocese of Singapore in 1999.
