The Bishop of Parramatta has invited all in the diocese to engage with one another about becoming a more synodal church through consultations of listening, dialogue and discernment. To be synodal is to walk together as a people of God and the whole of humanity, guided by the Holy Spirit.

In response to his invitation, the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations and the Interfaith Commission Diocese of Parramatta are co-hosting a series of consultations on how we are called to walk together with believers from other religions. This will include listening to leaders from the Hindu and Islamic traditions who will share their perspectives on interfaith.

Please join our interfaith consultation for the Synod of the Diocese of Parramatta.

Light refreshments available from 6.30pm.

Your speakers:
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney: Fr Patrick is a Columban missionary priest. He was assigned to Pakistan for more than 20 years. He has a Licence from the Pontifical Institute for the Study of Arabic and Islamics in Rome (1986), a MTheol from the Melbourne College of Divinity (2003) and a PhD from the Australian Catholic University (2009). Currently, Fr Patrick is the Director of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations in Blacktown.
Chand Chadha: Chand was born in northern India and migrated to Australia 28 years ago. He is the president of the oldest Indian temple in Australia, Sri Mandir in Auburn, which was established in 1977 and is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, an incarnation of the Hindu God Lord Vishnu. He is also a member of various non-profit organisations and an active member of Hills District Arya Samaj of Australia, which promotes the principles of the ancient Hindu scriptures and advocates for social and religious reform.
Firdousi Obeidullah: Firdousi is managing director of House of Sakinah, a service that helps women, predominantly from culturally linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD), deal with issues of domestic violence. She's also a former volunteer for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and among the first Muslim women to gain access to the detention centre in Villawood, where she helped many refugee families. Firdousi lives and works in Western Sydney.