The heritage and the future of inter-faith dialogue

We must draw on the past in order to examine inter-faith dialogue, says Dr Tong Wing-sze, director of the Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre, in Hong Kong, which is to host next month’s interfaith consultation, Religious life and public space in Asia.

Some 85 years ago, Norwegian missionary and Tao Fong Shan founder, Karl Ludwig Reichelt, started his exciting journey in Hong Kong to create understanding between Christianity and other religions. 

Nowadays, we are still inspired by his willingness and eagerness to be engaged with Buddhists theologically and liturgically, and even more so, personally.

We are delighted to cooperate with the Lutheran World Federation and Areopagos, a Norwegian organization that promotes religious dialogue, for the interfaith consultation in September. It is meaningful that this event is held in Hong Kong, not only because the city hosts the Tao Fong Shan tradition of interfaith dialogue between Christianity and other religions, but also because it is an international hub between Asian countries. I believe it will offer an ideal platform for us to understand the religious life and public space in Asia.

Interfaith dialogue is a crucial issue which calls for deep academic and intellectual reflection. It helps us face our challenges in this multi-religious and globalized world. I hope our consultation will enable participants to share different views and provide alternative tools for us to understand our situation better and to live our lives more fully in this diversified world.

Dialogue cannot take place without genuine engagement with people from different faith traditions and cultures. This face-to-face encounter will help us see the world in real terms and provide inspiration for further investigation and research for the common well-being of our human family.

I look forward to meeting fellow participants and sharing this exciting journey.

For more information, please see the event listing.