Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban
Spokesperson on Interfaith Dialogue

25 May 2009
Media Statement

Covenant a major step forward

Labour's spokesperson for Interfaith Dialogue Luamanuvao Winnie Laban has today hailed the signing of a covenant between the Methodist and Anglican churches in New Zealand as a major step forward in interfaith understanding.

"Yesterday's events were about putting aside the few things that separate us, and focusing on those things we have in common, with a view to building greater understanding and bringing us closer together" said Winnie Laban.

Winnie Laban was appointed as Labour's spokesperson on Interfaith Dialogue earlier in the year, mirroring similar moves in the UK.

"It is about bringing different religions and faiths into the same room to engage in dialogue which will be of benefit to harmonious relations here and hopefully overseas.

"Yesterday's events are an example of the kind of thing that can be achieved when such a dialogue is entered into."

The event was held in both Lotafala'ia, the Tongan Methodist Church in Mangere, South Auckland, and across the road at Te Karaiti Te Pou Herenga Waka, the Maori Anglican Marae/Church.

The covenant, among other things, aims to provide a safe "ecumenical space" to allow free and frank discussion about the differences between the two denominations, and to work towards a visible unity.

ENDS

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