Students gathered to enter into an important topic “Interreligious Dialogue.” - Photo: Pescila Magdalin
Inter-Religious Dialogue presentation, reflection on my leadership, motivation and the connection between the faiths and interfaith work.
Location: Pacific Theological College, Suva.
On the 26th of March 2025, I had the privilege of sharing my experience and insights on interreligious dialogue as an apostolate working with different religions. It was the first time ever for the students of Pacific Theological College to hear about interreligious dialogue, and this presentation was focused on fostering peace and understanding among different religious communities. Additionally, I shared my role in leadership and motivation as a Christian, specifically in organizing spiritual activities aimed at promoting unity and collaboration between different faith groups.
The heart of my presentation centered on the importance of interreligious dialogue in today’s world. This dialogue aims not only to promote mutual understanding but also to address misconceptions and prejudices that often exist between different religious communities. In my experience, these dialogues have played an essential role in building bridges between people of different faiths to build peace and understanding.
As a Christian involved in organizing spiritual activities, I emphasized the need for leadership that is motivated by a desire to inspire and uplift others. As a Christian leader, I focus on serving others, listening to them, putting their needs and well-being at the forefront of all activities. This creates an environment of trust and collaboration, which is essential for the success of interfaith initiatives. By highlighting common beliefs, such as the commitment to peace, justice, and compassion, we can build unity across faiths. This helps create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and heard. This helps me strengthen and deepen my own faith too. I shared how personal and spiritual growth through prayer, reflection, and living the Gospel teachings allows me to better understand others’ perspectives and lead more effectively.
Students’ keen interests are seen in interreligious dialogue that builds good relationships. - Photo: Pescila Magdalin
The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive. They expressed a keen interest in engaging more deeply with people of other faiths and learning from their experiences. The feedback also indicated that many of them felt inspired and were looking forward to joining an interfaith pilgrimage organized by the Columban’s schedule on the 29th of March 2025.
In conclusion, my session at Pacific Theological College served as both an introduction and a call to action for the students to engage in interreligious dialogue and assume leadership roles within their communities. By fostering peace, promoting mutual understanding, and leading with empathy and respect, we can help create a more harmonious world.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and look forward to seeing the positive changes the students will bring to their communities in the future.
Pescila Magdalin
Columban IRD coordinator, Fiji.
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