About the Council

In 2004, the idea of an Oxford Council of Faiths was first put to an Interfaith Dialogue Group, with the aim of understanding and gaining respect for other theologies and practice.

The driving force for an Oxford Council of Faiths was a retired clergyman, David Paterson, who had been part of the development of two Councils of Faith in Leicestershire and seen how they can contribute to inter-community understanding and tolerance.

Working through the Interfaith Dialogue Group, an initial discussion document was produced. A small working group of representatives of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist faiths met regularly from June 2006.

A consultation was held on 14 November 2007, and a new steering group was formed with Bede Gerrard as Chair, working on a proposed business plan for the Council of Faiths which was put to Oxford City Council. To meet the aim of social and community cohesion, the Council generously agreed to fund the start-up costs and the 2008 Peace Walk. The annual Peace Walk has continued since then.

The new Council was launched on 19 June 2008 in the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Sir Hugo Brunner; Oxford’s Lord Mayor, Susanna Pressel; and, from the national Interfaith Network, Harriet Crabtree and Stella Opoku-Owusu.