Multi-Faith Iftar. Photo: Diocese of Parramatta (used with permission)
As we move into 2026, the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CCCMR) shares a hopeful summary of its work in interfaith dialogue throughout 2025 during challenging times.
Marked by global conflicts, heightened tensions and the terror attack on Bondi beach, 2025 has profoundly tested the fabric of interfaith harmony. Our mission of dialogue and bridge-building is increasingly challenging. Yet, in the face of devastating division, we have been privileged to witness profound moments of solidarity and fraternity that continually reaffirm our shared humanity. Following is a summary of some of the highlights of our work in interfaith dialogue in 2025 with a view to 2026 and beyond.
Navigating a Year of Division with Dialogue
Fr Patrick McInerney, director of CCCMR, began the year with deep listening at the Jewish-Christian Conference “Heads, Hearts and Hands: What Can Dialogue Do for Us?” Here, participants engaged in spiritual conversations, bravely voicing their pain and conflict over the Israel-Hamas war. A profoundly moving moment was the public acknowledgement by a Jewish leader of the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people. Reinforcing our commitment to hearing all sides, a perspective often missing in public discourse, it is a vital step towards mutual recognition and healing.
Window on the World’s Religions program.
The coinciding of Ramadan and Lent offered a powerful, shared spiritual journey for Christians and Muslims, a time of common fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. We sent Ramadan/Eid greetings, as per our tradition, both in person and online, and widely shared the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (DID) Ramadan/Eid Message. A highlight was our annual Multi-Faith Community Iftar Dinner in Western Sydney, co-hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta, which brought together more than 150 Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh followers. This vibrant gathering was a testament that hope, dialogue, and understanding can transcend rising tensions. Our spiritual solidarity was further demonstrated by Fr Patrick McInerney’s presence at Lailat al-Qadr and Eid al-Fitr prayers at Lakemba Mosque, a gesture deeply appreciated by Muslim communities.
We remain acutely aware of the disturbing reality of increasing hatred in our society. Kim Chong attended the launch of Islamophobia Register Australia’s fifth report, which highlighted an alarming rise in verbal abuse, physical assaults, and discrimination against Muslims, with 75% directed at women and girls. We also note the alarming rise in antisemitism and condemn racism in all its forms. This sobering reality underscores the urgent need for our work to foster inclusivity and counter hate.
Our interfaith work truly comes to life through local action, as highlighted in the following areas:
- Education and Formation: Fr Patrick shared the importance of interreligious dialogue with more than 100 teachers at Catholic Schools Diocese of Parramatta formation days, urging them to embrace fraternity and synodality. Kim Chong also presented workshops on interfaith dialogue to students at St John XXIII Catholic College.
- Academic and Spiritual Enrichment: We welcomed leading interfaith scholar Professor Leo Lefebure from Georgetown University, who delivered compelling lectures on “Christian Spirituality and Interreligious Relations” and “Shaping a Culture of Encounter in a Fragmented World”, enriching both academic and broader community understanding.
- Community Compassion: Our Western Sydney Women’s IntHERfaith Initiative, in partnership with Good Shepherd Parish in Plumpton and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills, hosted successful Christian-Muslim Food Drives for charities like House of Sakinah and Afghan Women on the Move, demonstrating that acts of generosity and kindness truly transcend religious boundaries.
- Abraham Conference: Despite tensions, the Abraham Conference Organising Committee, with Kim Chong as secretary, continued to model dialogue, hosting intimate Listening Circles between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian participants to share their grief over the Israel-Hamas war, and affirming a universal desire for peace.
- Window on the World’s Religions: We successfully launched this new program, featuring Hindu and Sikh teams sharing their beliefs and values with a public audience to foster understanding and friendship with our neighbours of different faiths. Participants described the experience as ‘transformative’.
- Commemorating Nostra Aetate: The 60th anniversary of Vatican II’s Nostra Aetate was widely promoted, reminding Catholics of its call to mutual respect and dialogue. The Diocese of Parramatta commemorated this with a “Human Library” event at our Centre, challenging stereotypes through one-on-one dialogue with Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist “Human Books”.
- Interfaith Dialogue Award: On 11 September, the University of Notre Dame Australia named Fr Patrick as the inaugural recipient of the Interfaith Dialogue Award for his lifelong dedication to bridge-building, particularly between Christians and Muslims. You can read his acceptance speech here.
Fr Patrick's award from Norte Dame Uni with Abbas Alvis.
A Sombre Conclusion: The Bondi Crisis
The final week at the Centre before the Christmas holidays is typically a time of quiet closure and festive preparation. However, in December 2025, that peace was shattered by an antisemitic terror attack struck a Hanukkah by the Sea celebration in Bondi Beach, leaving 15 innocent people dead and 40 others injured.
The tragedy served as a stark, heart-wrenching reminder of why the Centre’s work exists. As we prepared to close our doors for the break, the atmosphere shifted from holiday reflection to communal grief.
We ended our year not in celebration, but in profound solidarity with the victims and their families.
In the immediate aftermath, the Centre issued a statement of solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers.
This event solidified our resolve for 2026. It proved that interfaith harmony is not a “luxury” of peaceful times, but a vital necessity for social survival during times of terror.
Abraham Conference Prayer Service for Peace.
As we move into 2026, the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations remains deeply committed to all these initiatives. We plan to expand the Window on the World’s Religions program across schools, parishes, and community groups, featuring different faiths. We will continue to offer platforms for deep listening, education, and compassionate action, guided by the spirit of Pope Leo’s dedication to bridge-building.
Our publications, including the Interfaith e-Bulletin and the regular Bridges newsletter, will continue to bring stories of hope and compassion to a world that desperately needs them.
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban Interfaith eBulletin.
