Abi Yendole was the faith in Action volunteer for 2024 with the Columban missionaries in Britain. Her weeks were filled with engagements in the areas of JPIC and IRD. Mauricio Silva and James Trewby, her mentors, ran an induction program for her. During her second week into the program, she traveled to Ireland as part of an initiative organized by Mauricio and Ray Collier from Britain, and their counterparts engaged in dialogue in the Irish Region. Below, Abi shares a reflection on the experience.
Spending time in Dublin at the Interfaith Conference (September 24, 2024) was transformative, inspiring and engaging. A few days to remember, such hospitality and friendships built that I believe will continue beyond this shared experience. I will treasure this opportunity as one to remember.
The conference provided the opportunity to listen to different people’s faith journeys, to embrace difference and work collaboratively to dream about what building peaceful and resilient communities looks like. I learnt more about the importance of interfaith dialogue, as well as experiencing the fruit of friendship with people of different faiths. The kindness, warmth and openness were incredible. It gave me the opportunity to see past people’s faiths and seeing people as humans, with hopes and dreams.
Acknowledging the sameness of our humanity before pointing out the differences was refreshing and what is needed when our instincts so often stop us seeing beyond our comfort zones.
Visiting places of worship, building relationships and being able to have honest conversations within the context of respect and with a shared goal of mutual understanding was transformative. It brought interfaith dialogue alive for me, as I am passionate about building bridges and understanding in a world ever characterised by division.
The recent riots and more general polarization across our communities and cities are worrying and these days collaborating felt like a collective pushback. I welcomed the opportunity to stand against hatred and division and to stand for learning, listening and loving (each other and our communities) together.
I was so impressed by the welcome, of both our hosts and the team from Birmingham. These few days brought lots of joy, good memories and ignited an understanding for the importance of and a passion for interfaith dialogue right here, right now.