Interfaith Service in Celebration of Animals - 13th June 2004
The first British Interfaith Service in celebration of animals, sponsored by the World Congress of Faiths, will be held at Golders Green Unitarian Church, Hoop Lane, London, NW11 8BS, 13 June starting at 3 pm. “I believe that religions should speak out on behalf of the protection of animals” saidthe Revd. Professor Andrew Linzey, who will be giving the keynote address at the service. Professor Linzey holds the world’s first post in theology and animals - the Bede Jarrett Senior Research Fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and is also the author of a collection of liturgies for animals (Animal Rites, published by SCM Press) The service will include readings, prayers and mediations from representatives of the Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Jain faith traditions. The service is been organised by Andrew Burns (from the World Congress of Faiths) who said, “This is an exciting venture which will bring together - for the first time - representatives of the world faiths in an attempt to raise consciousness about the treatment of animals within the various traditions.” The service will be hosted by Golders Green Unitarians. “We are delighted to have this ground breaking service in our Church” commented the minister, the Revd Fergus O Connor, “Unitarianism has a long history of welcoming interfaith dialogue and co-operation between faiths”