The leaders of the four main Churches in Ireland are to host a major youth conference in Derry on Tuesday next.
Archbishop Eamon Martin.
“Do Christian faith and culture still speak to one another?” will be the question asked at the Faith and Culture conference to be in St Mary’s College on Northland Road.
Archbishop Eamon Martin, Roman Catholic Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh; Archbishop Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh; Rev Dr Rob Craig, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; and Rev Dr Heather Morris, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland will be joined buy over 200 sixth formers from across the community.
The event originated from discussions between Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good, and some of his colleagues.
They believe there is an important opportunity during Derry’s City of Culture Year to explore with young people if culture speaks spiritually to them.
Talking ahead of the event Bishop Good said the Churches had “thoroughly embraced” the special celebration of culture in the city.
He added: “This is not surprising given the rich intertwining roots of culture and faith. For 1,500 years Christian faith had a profound impact on culture. A great deal of art, literature and music had its roots in Christian spirituality.
“In fact, the Church was one of the main patrons of culture for centuries. In this more secular age the impact of faith on culture is easily forgotten. This event will explore how culture and faith can still relate positively to one another.’
During the conference, students will have an opportunity to explore how faith may be expressed through a variety of cultural experiences such as music, dance, art, pottery, weaving, and much more.
The programme will take them on a journey of reflection and discussion culminating in a sharing of how culture and faith have moved them.
Each of the four senior Church leaders will also talk about how a particular expression of culture has moved them.
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