News release: Sects in the City
Date of Issue: 6th June 2008
Civic pride of Capital to be discussed following research in a unique
report and conference
Spiritual Capital – Cardiff is a project which will culminate in a unique conference. The
conference will launch a report on the relationship between Cardiff's diverse faith
communities, the welfare of the City and its government.
Open to everyone, including people who don’t belong to a church, mosque temple or
synagogue, or who even have no faith at all, the conference will be an opportunity to
explore how religious communities positively impact on the life of the Capital.
Roy J. Thomas, Chair of the Conference said:
“This Conference and Report will bring to the surface the work that underpins the
values of the City. Often we do not realise what is going on in our own Capital
City. The great contributions of citizenship are often talked about but this report
will give it substance. If we are to be a World Class City we must promote the
values of citizenship that make us world class”
Across Cardiff over 35,000 people meet to worship and interact socially in any week of
every year in over 200 faith communities, great and small, and a much greater number
attending occasionally. Spiritual life remains important to a significant proportion of the
Capital's citizens, and their local communities of faith.
Dr Barry Morgan Archbishop of Wales said:
“The development of Cardiff is not just about its infrastructure – its impressive
stadiums, glamorous shopping centres and glittering civic buildings – it is about
the nurturing of its soul. And that is where the city’s faith communities play a
major role – they engender a sense of respect, self-worth, hope and confidence
in a better future."
Wales' Capital City Cardiff is home to a third of a million people, many of whom have
settled here from other parts of Wales, the U.K., Europe and other continents of the
world, bringing with them their languages, cultures and traditions of religious faith.
Dr Keshav Singhal Chair of the Indian Hindu Centre said:
“Seeing a dynamic multicultural Cardiff is important to us all. The future well being of the
Capital is important to our children as we are all welsh and proud that we contribute to
its economy, health and the pursuit of happiness and of course spiritual development”
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Jonathan Morgan, Assembly Member Cardiff North said:
“I welcome the Spiritual Capital conference and the launch of the report. Without
our faith communities Cardiff would not be the great city it is today. The
conference and report are also a timely reminder that the continued welfare of
this city depends upon an active dialogue between the city’s politicians and faith
groups.”
Jenny Randerson, Assembly Member Cardiff central said:
"The diversity of our city, and the tolerance that underpins it, is one of Cardiff's
greatest strengths. I believe that this conference will highlight the very complex
and positive contributions that all of Cardiff's faiths and communities play in
making the capital what it is today."
Notes
1. The conference will be held from 1.30pm – 5.00pm on Wednesday 16 July at
Future Inn Cardiff Bay, Hemingway Road, Cardiff, CF10 4AU.
2. The conference is free but places are limited. Delegates must register by the 9
July 2008.
3. Research for the project was carried out by Cardiff University’s Regeneration
Institute.
4. The Spiritual Capital – Cardiff research project was set up by the Cardiff City
Centre Churches Together supported by the City Parish Church of St John the
Baptist.
5. The Spiritual Capital project was funded by the Faith Communities Capacity
Building Fund of the Community Development Foundation, and it employed the
services of Cardiff University's Regeneration Institute, and the 'Ask Cardiff'
market survey teams.
6. For further information on how people can register contact Gwilym Morris
gwilym@pollinationcampaigns.co.uk, call 01792 360437 or visit
www.spiritualcapital-cardiff.org.uk
7. For more information on this release please contact Gwilym Morris on
07939225085
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