St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham, 26 October 2025
Events have been held in Birmingham and Rome, bringing together esteemed leaders and representatives from diverse religious communities to observe the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.
Originally published on October 28, 1965, Nostra Aetate, which translates to “In Our Time,” was a significant declaration issued by the Second Vatican Council. It emphasised the importance of fostering respectful and constructive relations between the Catholic Church and other non-Christian religions.
The document advocates for the rejection of prejudiced attitudes and highlights the inherent dignity of every individual, acknowledging their creation in the divine image.
This foundational statement contributed to a new era of interfaith understanding, notably enhancing Catholic-Jewish relations, and underscored the need for mutual respect among diverse religious communities. Nostra Aetate continues to serve as a key text guiding dialogue and cooperation across different faiths.
On Sunday, October 26th, representatives from six different faith communities assembled at St. Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham to participate in the national observance commemorating the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.
The event, organized in partnership with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, which focuses on themes of hope and renewal, offered a valuable platform for the Catholic Church in England and Wales to recognize and thank colleagues from diverse faith traditions for their ongoing commitment to interfaith dialogue and the valuable collaborations established over the years.
The event featured Sung Vespers with reflections from representatives of Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian faith traditions, as well as a panel discussion entitled “Dying to Live,” which examined the challenges encountered by Birmingham’s faith communities regarding end-of-life care practices.
Amidst the diversity of cultural and spiritual traditions, providing compassionate, respectful, and person-centered care at the end of life remains a fundamental shared value. While ongoing efforts to improve religious literacy in end-of-life care are important, the panel discussion emphasized how interfaith collaboration and dialogue can facilitate valuable insights into various spiritual perspectives, enhance understanding of common principles, and promote mutual respect for differing beliefs.
Interfaith panel discussion on end-of-life care Audio
The panel titled “Dying to Live” took place in the Grimshaw Room at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham on Sunday, 26 October. This session offered a valuable platform to explore how diverse faith traditions interpret and approach topics related to end-of-life care, mortality, and grief, including the associated religious and cultural practices.
The session was led by Associate Professor Maggie Doherty, Director of the Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well, and included a presentation of the recent community-engaged research initiative undertaken by the Centre.
Participants, each representing a distinct religious tradition and offering valuable personal perspectives, included:
Christina Ronayne (Christianity)
Ruth Jacobs (Judaism)
Shamim Merali (Islam)
Shobha Sharma (Hinduism)
Simon Romer (Buddhism)
Harr-Joht Kaur (Sikhism)
Interfaith panel discussion on end-of-life care Running order
Running order
START – 2m 28s
Introduction
Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham
Chair, Department for Dialogue and Unity, CBCEW
2m 29s – 3m 28s
Panel Introduction
Maggie Doherty, Lead, Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well
3m 29s – 9m 41s
Ruth Jacobs
Jewish community
9m 41s – 14m
Shamim Merali
Muslim community
14m – 23m 59s
Shobha Sharma
Hindu community
24m – 26m 27s
Simon Romer
Buddhist community
26m 28s – 32m 30s
Harr-Joht Kaur
Sikh community
32m 31s – 39m 21s
Christina Ronayne
Christian community
39m 22s – 46m 48s
Centre for the Art of Living and Dying Well
Maggie Doherty, Lead
46m 48s – END
Concluding comments
Right Reverend Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham
Lead Bishop for Interreligious Dialogue, CBCEW
This panel discussion was part of a national event honoring the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate.