The Fraternal Relations Committee is pleased to report that on Sunday June 6 its application to the North American Interfaith Network was accepted as one of sixty charter members. During the membership meeting one of the delegate members asked about the possibility of NAIN supporting a piece of legislation before Congress concerning religious freedom. I was pleased to observe that virtually all of the other members attending the meeting voiced concern about NAIN sponsoring any political legislation or social agendas. It was very clear that the members look at NAIN as solely a forum for interfaith dialogue.  

The Network, according to its bylaws, "seeks to affirm humanity's spiritual resources and bring them to bear on contemporary life." As a forum for dialogue our participation does not mean that we are endorsing or affirming either the theology or politics of any of its members. What we are doing is endorsing and affirming the need for interfaith understanding and dialogue by participating. The theologian Hans Kung has stated that "there will be no peace among the nations until there is peace among the religions." The interfaith movement is an exciting step toward such peace within the religious community. 

After the meeting of the NAIN membership the Pacific Interfaith Network sponsored a conference at the Pacific School of Religion. The Catholic theologian, Matthew Fox, was the keynote speaker. His address was entitled, "Many Paths, One Creation". His was a call for a revitalization of spirituality on the planet. The conference included working groups on "religious pluralism in local communities" and "spirituality"; I attended the one on spirituality was deeply impressed by the spirituality of its participants.  

My sense is that there is a community of faith developing amongst the members of the interfaith community which will continue to grow into the future. It is exciting to participate and be a part of this growing community of religionists. There is a clear sense of mission that all of us have with respect to our participation in the interfaith community. And that mission is that there should be peace amongst the traditions so that there can be peace on the planet. 

The Fraternal Relations Committee is sponsoring an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service during the Summer Workshops. It will be sponsoring a spiritual retreat at IC 93 in Montreal; it has made contact with a Cistercian Monastery and will hear shortly about its desire to hold the retreat at this Monastery. 

In August of 1993 the World Parliament of Religions will be holding a centennial celebration in Chicago that will be large in size and hopefully large in impact. Scott Forsythe, as an individual, is working diligently with Daniel Gomez-Ibanez, the Executive Director, on this project. Peter Laurence, Executive Director of The Temple of Understanding, has tendered his resignation on the Fraternal Relations Committee. We will be seeking to replace his position this summer. We will also be working this year to develop some articles for publication on interfaith topics. It is indeed an exciting time for the Fraternal Relations Committee. I commend to all of you to try to attend an interfaith gathering; it is an renewing experience.