wfn.org | ACNS3599 Houses of Worship Restoration Fund launched in Europe

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3599     |     EUROPE     |     1 OCTOBER 2003 

Houses of Worship Restoration Fund launched in Europe

[ACNS source: Convocation of American Churches in Europe] After a series of
attacks on mosques and synagogues in France and Belgium in 2002, the Rt Revd
Pierre W. Whalon, Bishop in charge of the Convocation of American Churches in
Europe, launched an appeal for funds for a Houses of Worship Restoration
Fund. It was meant to be a gesture of solidarity from the American churches
in Europe, who are now more than ever under threat of attack, said Bishop
Whalon.

On 25 September 2003, Bishop Whalon was finally able to give half the money
raised to Doctor Dalil Boubakeur, Rector of the Great Mosque of Paris and
newly-elected president of the Conseil frangais du Culte musulman (French
Council of Islam). I would have given the money earlier in the year, but I
realised that there was competition among various Muslim groups as to who
could speak for Muslims in France, said the bishop. But the Minister of the
Interior, Nicolas Sarkozy, got the various factions to form the council,
which recently elected Dr Boubakeur.

Dr Boubakeur accepted the check for 1.500 (US$1,710) in the presence of His
Royal Highness, Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. The Prince had invited the
bishop to meet with him at the mosque to discuss a conference being organised
at the American Cathedral in Paris next June 12 and 13 by the cathedrals
canon theologian, the Revd Dr George Hobson. (Prince Hassan, a world leader
for interreligious dialogue, has agreed to participate in the conference.)

Bishop Whalon decided that the Princes visit to the mosque was an opportune
moment to give the funds raised from European and American congregations and
individuals. We Muslims are deeply moved by this gesture of solidarity,
coming as it does at a critical time, said Dr Boubakeur.

Also present was the former Grand Rabbi of France, Samuel Sirat. A formal
ceremony for the remission of the other half of the fund to representatives
of Judaism in France is being planned.

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 6,000 journalists and other readers around
the world.  For subscription information please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html