Changing the quality of the conversation.

Opening his remarks on 'Living together in a multi-faith society' Bishop Richard noted that when he was appointed in 1995 there was little thought about contacts between peoples of different faiths. Now guests from other traditions are regularly invited to share in major faith events such as the recent installation of the new Bishop of Kensington, the bishop for the local area. However although inter faith meetings and consultations are more common there is still the tendency for the same 'usual suspects' as he put it, to meet and stay at the level of polite platitudes. People of different faiths do have many things in common in terms of creativity and moral values. There are also many areas where faiths disagree and we should be unapologetic about this. Speaking to someone from another faith 'changes the quality of the conversation' said the Bishop. 'See differences as an advantage, not a problem'.

Answering a question on how to involve young people Bishop Richard noted that there is always a problem of communication between the generations. He added that faith leaders should listen deeply and be prepared to adapt services and procedures.

Referring to the present economic situation he commented that people are aware of the spiritual dimension, but don't know how to put it into words. We must learn to develop a language and must not forget the poor.

Discussion afterwards focussed further on education and how faith group members can help bring religion to life by offering to visit schools as well as invite schools to visit places of worship. It was hoped teachers could be trained to learn about different faiths.

In addition to being the third most senior Anglican bishop in England, the Bishop of London is involved with ecumenical and inter faith bodies. He referred to his work founding St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in the City of London church destroyed by an IRA bomb. He invited Hounslow Friends of Faith members to visit the centre and consider how to carry out similar work locally.

The meeting was the second to be organised by Hounslow Friends of Faith following up on a similar successful occasion in 2008.