Session 1

• Gain an overview and understanding of the interreligious landscape in Singapore

• Reflect on the Church’s teachings in the context of religious diversity in Singapore

• Appreciate the place of interreligious dialogue in the Church’s mission and evangelisation 

Session 2     

• Gain an overview and understanding of the ecumenical landscape in Singapore

• Reflect on the Church’s teachings on ecumenism in the context of religious diversity in Singapore

• Appreciate the place of ecumenism in the Church’s mission and evangelisation

• Engage with special guest speaker in ecumenical dialogue 

Session 3       

• Explore four ways of dialogue and important dispositions for dialogue

• Look at case studies and apply what is covered in the course to catechetical praxis

• Engage with special guest speaker in interreligious dialogue

Session 4

• Visit the place of worship/outreach centre of a neighbour-religion

• Encounter and dialogue with people of a neighbour-religion

• Reflect on and process our experience following the visit

*Kindly note participants need to attend Session 1-3 to be eligible for the site visit on Session 4.

1. To gain an overview and understanding of the interreligious and ecumenical landscape in Singapore.

2. To be familiar with the Church’s teachings on interreligious dialogue and ecumenism in the context of religious diversity in Singapore.

3. To adopt the following disposition when offering pastoral care and catechetical initiatives as proposed by the new Directory for Catechesis (DC):

In the context of interreligious dialogue:

The Church “regards with sincere reverence those ways of conduct and of life, those precepts and teachings which, though differing in many aspects from the ones she holds and sets forth, nonetheless often reflect a ray of that Truth which enlightens all men.” 

Nostra Aetate 2 cited in DC 349

 In the context of ecumenism:

Catechesis has the task of eliciting a desire for unity within those being catechised, helping them to live in contact with persons of other confessions while cultivating their Catholic identity in respect for the faith of others.

(DC 345)

Mr. Gerald Kong is the Executive Secretary of the Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Centre of Singapore (AIRDECS), the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD) and the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED).

Through his work in the Archdiocese for more than 13 years, Gerald has had the great privilege of forging strong ties of friendship and understanding with fellow Christians and people of diverse religious backgrounds, and collaborating on a variety of meaningful engagements.

Gerald obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan De Oro, Mindanao, Philippines in 2006. He was further awarded a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Systematic Theology) with a particular focus on Missiology from the Loyola School of Theology in Manila in 2012. In 2013, Gerald graduated with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the Ateneo de Manila University.

His other life experiences include carrying out full time mission work in the Philippines and Mainland China as well as being the first lay chaplain at St. Gabriel's Primary and St. Gabriel's Secondary.

Rev. Ray Soh is an ordained minister of the Lutheran Church in Singapore and currently serves as Pastor-in-Charge of the Chinese Congregation at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. 

Prior to entering full-time ministry, he worked as a secondary school teacher for 16 years. In response to God’s call, he left the teaching profession in 2020 to pursue full-time theological studies at Trinity Theological College. 

Rev. Ray has a deep interest in music, liturgy, Lutheran theology, and ecumenism, and attempts to preach Christ faithfully through the Word and Sacrament ministry.

Mr. Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib is an interfaith advocate, writer and researcher. He is the founder and director of Dialogue Centre Limited, and the founding Board member and Vice-Chairperson for the Centre for Interfaith Understanding (CIFU). He is also an associate researcher at the Centre for the Study of Religion and Culture (CSRC) at the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Previously, he worked for the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) in various portfolios, including Research and Policy Development, and was an associate research fellow in interreligious relations at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). 

Imran writes on issues of religion, multiculturalism, and topics related to Islam, Malay society, its heritage and its intellectual traditions. His work has been published in journals, books, and both local and international newspapers. Imran is a graduate in Philosophy from Birkbeck College, University of London and is married with 4 children.

• Catechetical Coordinators & Level Coordinators for Children and/or Youth

• All Catechists, Catechetical Assistants & Facilitators

• RCIA/ RCIY Coordinators, Facilitators & Sponsors

*Waived by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

Notwithstanding the waiver of the contribution fee, participants are required to register for all courses/events/workshops to assist us in the booking of appropriate rooms, printing of materials and arrangement of tea and snacks, etc. In the event of foreseeable no-shows, we encourage participants to inform the office in advance to help prevent the wastage of resources.