Auckland, New Zealand - The spirit of interfaith is active in New Zealand. There are several interfaith groups actively networking in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Hamilton.

 

Unificationists took part in two interfaith events in October. One was organized by the Catholic Church and held in the city centre, the main cathedral, on October 27. It was to mark Pope John Paul’s call to Interfaith on the Assisi Day of Prayer for World Peace. Several faith leaders read from Pope John Paul II’s Decalogue of Assisi for Peace first used in 2002 and offered a reflection, prayer, or song related to the event. Ten faith leaders participated: Methodist, Quaker, Muslim, Baha'i, Catholic, Jewist, Unificationist, and Buddhist. A member of Parliament with the portfolio for interfaith addressed the gathering. The Catholic members and Bishop had made special efforts to embrace everyone.

 

The second event, organized by the Auckland Interfaith Council, was their end-of-year event which was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. At this function, representatives of different faiths sang songs and some read from their sacred texts. Ruth Cleaver from the Family Federation for World Peace is a founding member and she is the current Auckland Interfaith Council president.