Torrance, CA (March 12, 2012): On March 7-8, the Bishop Montgomery Religion Department hosted an interfaith panel in the school gymnasium that included representatives from seven world religions. Organized by veteran teacher Bernadette St. James, representatives of Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, and Zoroastrian religions discussed topics related to prayer, death and dying, the importance of religion post 9/11, and the key to a happy life.
Each session began with the quote from the 46-year old encyclical Nostra Aetate that states “the Catholic church rejects nothing that is holy and true found in other faiths.” After each representative answered a series of questions relating to their faith, BMHS students were given the opportunity to ask questions. For many of the students, the experience was both enriching and eye-opening. In response to the encyclical, one student asked panelist Fr. Alexei Smith “why has it taken almost 50 years for this attitude to become embraced by Catholics?” Fr. Alexei responded that “most people are unaware of this encyclical and it is one reason why the archdiocese supports having interfaith panels like this.”
“The value of this interfaith panel was immediately seen in the responses of the students,” explains St. James. “Combating cultural and religious ignorance with knowledge of other faiths positively impacted the students who frequently are exposed to the negative extremism that is televised regarding religion and its practices throughout the world. Many students were surprised to learn the common values that are shared among world faiths while having the uniqueness of their faith affirmed in the process. “I really liked how each of the panelists seemed to get along and like one another," said one student. “[The panelists] were smiling and hugging at one point, and that was a surprising new experience for me.”
“By creating an atmosphere of understanding, friendship, and celebration of faith through dialogue,” continued St. James, “we all left feeling better after discovering the rich diversity found in the Los Angeles area.” “One teacher said that it felt like a retreat experience for her,” explains St. James. “Certainly the world seemed safer and more manageable when experiencing interfaith dialogue take place in a setting where there was love. I believe this gives hope for the future.”
The Panelists for the two-day event included:
- Maneck Bhujwala, a member at the California Zoroastrian Center in Westminster.
- Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and pastor of St. Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church in El Segundo.
- Rev. Lee A. Carlile, pastor of The United Methodist Church of El Segundo.
- Hafez Mahmoud Hafez, a member of the Council on American Islamic Relations of Greater Los Angeles.
- Amani Barakat
- Dennis Gura, a member of Kehillat Ma'arav Temple in Santa Monica.
- Rev. Kusala Bhikshu of the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Korea town section of Los Angeles.
- Dr. Rini Ghosh, a peace and non-violence activist and a steadfast follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Nirinjan Singh Khalsa, executive director of the California Sikh Council, a cultural intelligence educator, and advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and Los Angeles and Orange County Sheriff’s Departments.
- Fr. Ed Benioff, chaplain at Bishop Montgomery High School.