St Philip's Centre

Study & Engagement in a Multi Faith Society

The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, has announced that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has agreed to be a patron of the St Philip’s Centre for Study and Engagement in Multi Faith Society. 
The Archbishop, who opened the centre in the presence of leaders of both the City and the County Councils, and three hundred other guests from across the country, has accepted the invitation to be a Patron of this important new Centre dedicated to resourcing the churches, and promoting greater understanding and cohesion within contemporary multi faith society.

The St Philip’s Centre and its work were recently highlighted in the Report Faithful Cities published by the Church of England and the Methodist Church. The Commission that produced the Report remark In Leicester we have witnessed the contribution of faith to the development of strong bridging and linking faithful capital in this diverse city. The St Philip’s Centre with its new Patron is committed to advancing this faithful contribution from the churches and in partnership with the other faith communities.

Canon Dr Andrew Wingate, Director of St Philip’s Centre warmly welcomed the news that Archbishop Rowan had accepted the invitation to be a Patron:

 We are delighted that the Archbishop of Canterbury is to be our patron. This is a sign of his deep commitment to inter faith relationships in this country and throughout the Anglican Communion. It is also a great encouragement to Leicester in the year when we also celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Council of Faiths

 


St Philip’s Centre

The Centre has been established by the Diocese of Leicester in partnership with St Philip’s Church, Evington, the Methodist Church, the United Reform Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist Church. The primary purposes of the centre are:

• To equip the churches to be more confident in ministry, service and witness in a multi faith world

• To contribute to a safer and more cohesive world by working alongside people of all faiths and building upon the strong tradition of partnership between the faiths in Leicester

• To provide high quality training to key groups in society on the realities and opportunities of living and working in a multi faith society

Recognised by the Church England as one of two national centres (the other is the Bradford Churches for Dialogue and Diversity) the St Philip’s Centre is a response to the growing need since 9/11 and 7/7 for increased understanding between and within faiths. This includes an urgent need for Christians to have confidence in what they can offer – how to celebrate difference but to stay faithful to their tradition.

Notes

St Philip’s Centre is funded by the Diocese of Leicester, Leicester City Council, the Home Office Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund, St Philip’s Church, the Methodist Church, the United Reform Church, and other grants.

• Leicester, outside parts of London, is the most multi religious city in the UK. The ethnic minority population was 36% in the 2001 Census and 49% of children in city schools are from ethnic minorities. There is currently an almost equal balance of Muslims and Hindus, along with strong communities of Sikhs, Jews and other faiths.

• Leicester has a strong tradition of Inter Faith work not least by the Council of Faiths. Other initiatives include the faiths Regeneration project and the Inter-cultural Leadership School for young people.