On Friday March 7^th and Saturday March 8^th, 2025, the Xaverian Community were delighted to co-design, host, and facilitate the annual Scottish Bishops Symposium on Interreligious dialogue. The event took place at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge. This year’s theme was “The role and importance of Interreligious Dialogue in Catholic Peacebuilding locally, nationally and globally.” We were fortunate to have as a keynote speaker Martha Inés Romero from Colombia, the Secretary General of Pax Christi International. Bishop Brian McGee was present in his role as President of the Interfaith Commission.

The event also included dialogue on peace with sisters in the Sikh, Muslim and Baha’I faith traditions. The event took place during International Women’s’ Day and included a panel conversation with women representative from the main faith traditions.

This is an extension of our ongoing membership and support of the Bishops’ Committee on Interreligious Dialogue. From the event, a strong declaration emerged that identified that now as ever there is the need to grow and sustain positive dialogical relationships among faith communities. Relationships with a focus on nurturing the common good, the building of mutual trust, and the celebration of difference and diversity.

Then from Sunday 9^th until Tuesday 11^th, 2025, Pax Christi Scotland held it annual retreat at the Conforti Centre. Fr. Jim Clarke, s.x., Pax Christi chaplain in Scotland, was helped my Martha Inés Romero and others to reflect on the work and outreach of Pax Christi given the current turbulent political situations throughout the world. We thank Martha Inés Romero for her presence and inspiration in these challenging times.