Some of the religious representatives at the Spirit of Assisi event: (from left: Mr Harbans Singh of the Sikh faith, Mr Jaafar Ma of the Muslim faith, Rev Gabriel Liew of the Christian faith, Mr Jayantilal Jasani of the Jain faith, Master Adrian Long of the Taoist faith, Mr Henry Baey of the Buddhist faith and Swami Jitamanasananda of the Hindu faith. Photos: LUMINAIRE
The Franciscan friars organised interfaith prayers and a discussion on human trafficking to mark the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s Assisi meeting
Some 400 religious leaders and well wishers gathered on Oct 27 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Blessed John Paul II’s meeting in Assisi with leaders of various faiths.
The Franciscan friars organised the Spirit of Assisi event, held at the Church of St Mary of the Angels.
The celebration was to relive the landmark World Day of Prayer for Peace when the late pope invited representatives of the world’s religions to pray together.
Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and Archbishop Nicholas Chia attended the recent local celebration together with representatives from other religions.
They included Mr Kuek Yi Hsing of the Baha’i faith, Mr Harbans Singh of the Sikh faith, Mr Jaafar Ma of the Muslim faith, Rev Gabriel Liew of the Christian faith, Mr Jayantilal Jasani of the Jain faith, Master Adrian Long of the Taoist faith, Mr Henry Baey of the Buddhist faith, and Swami Jitamanasananda of the Hindu faith.
President Tony Tan and his wife Mary also attended the event, which included prayers for peace by the religious leaders, the lighting of candles to spell out “peace” in Singapore’s four main languages, and performances by the award-winning St Joseph’s Institution Vocal Ensemble and Catholic theatre group Walk on Water Productions.
By Stanislaus Jude Chan
