|
|
Article: Francis Younghusband: founder of the World Congress of Faiths.(EXPLORATIONS AND RESPONSES)(Biography)
- Article from:
- Journal of Ecumenical Studies
- Article date:
- June 22, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Journal of Ecumenical Studies. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Seventy years ago, on July 3, 1936, the World Congress of Faiths convened at University College, London. It was a highly unusual and controversial event. Not a single bishop of the Church of England dared then to be seen in the company of members of other religions. They were in the business of conversion not conversation.
For many years, the World Congress of Faiths was a solitary voice calling for a fellowship of faiths. Today, "social cohesion" and "interfaith dialogue" are the watchword. International interfaith conferences are common, and the number of local interfaith groups in Britain has doubled since the year 2000. Yet, if this new mood is to be strong ...