Archbishop joins interfaith call to reject religious and ethnic prejudice in Wales

As the Welsh Parliament begins its term, faith leaders from across all the major religions in Wales have warned that it is a ‘time of significant tension across the United Kingdom’.

Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia Mark O’Toole has joined an interfaith appeal to the Senedd for all forms of prejudice based on religion or ethnicity, including “antisemitism, anti-Hindu prejudice, and Islamophobia” to be rejected.

The letter was also signed by Anglican Archbishop of Wales Cherry Vann, Rabbi Michoel Rose of the Cardiff United Synagogue, Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed of the Muslim Council of Wales, Dr Sakti Guha Niyogi of the Hindu Council of Wales, along with representatives of other Christian denominations and Wales’ Sikh, Ahmadiyya, and Bahai communities.

“Many in our communities live with some fear for themselves and especially for their children,” the faith leaders warned.

“We uphold the innate dignity of every person, believing that all are to be treated with the utmost respect, recognising their religious freedom so that all can practise their belief in peace and tranquillity.”

The faith leaders assured the Senedd of their prayers and thanked them for their “willingness and desire to work for the common good of all the people of Wales”.

They also said faith communities make a huge contribution to sectors such as education, healthcare and in a diverse range of services and projects which serve some of those most in need, with places of worship acting as important hubs of social outreach and integration.

“We are happy to work in this way and are committed to this continuing and growing,” the letter said. “We look forward to the opportunities we will have of sharing this story of public service with you, especially in respect of how it is lived out at local level.”

The various religions said they look forward to deepening their relationships of “cooperation, mutual understanding and acceptance, so that we can all work together for the good of all in Wales”.

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