Ahead of the upcoming webinar centred on the Lambeth Call on Inter Faith, we spoke to the Rt Revd Magda Guedes, Bishop of Paraná, who is involved in ecumenical and interreligious work in the Province of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil.

How are you involved in inter faith work?

“I am part of the Ecumenism and Interreligious Commission of the Anglican Church in Brazil and, being the current president of the National Council of Churches of Brazil, I am involved in several dialogues that are carried out by churches and religious movements in our country.”

Why are inter faith relations important?

“I think inter faith dialogues are important for several reasons. First, because ecumenism is part of our ethos, our way of being Anglican. Also, because respect is an ethical principle that guides our relationship as Christian people and as a Church and because loving your neighbour is a Biblical principle.

“Engaging with other religions is also important because the diversity of peoples, cultures, languages and religions makes up the plurality of our world, and with respectful dialogue with other dimensions of faith, we can bear witness that it is both possible and desirable for us to work together.”

What are the main challenges to successful inter faith relationships?

“I would say that the biggest challenge is to overcome prejudice and mistrust. Then it is important to maintain a relationship of respect and seek to act together on common agendas.”

What inspires you most about the Lambeth Call to Inter Faith?

“What inspires me is the intention to deepen understanding of this theme that is so important in the current religious situation in the world, and the willingness to share each other’s experiences.”

“The Lambeth Call to Inter faith (2.4) states that ‘Whatever our background, our neighbours of other religious traditions are all made in the image of God, and as Christians we are called to love others as ourselves’. This means that we understand God’s desire for all of his creation, and that the Spirit of God is free, blowing where it wants and how it wills. We choose to be Anglicans, and although this brings us joy, we cannot imagine this boundary to be a limitation of God’s infinite love and grace.

“In my efforts in inter faith relations, I’ve been inspired by Matthew 22:37-39, which instructs us to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. The story of the Samaritan Woman and the Good Samaritan also inspires my inter faith works and frames my attitude to those different from me.”