Sikh Representative Addresses Episcopal Convention

June 21, 2006

Source: World Sikh Council

http://www.worldsikhcouncil.org/

On June 21, 2006 World Sikh Council reported in a press release, "A representative of the World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR) attended the Episcopal Church’s 75th General Convention in Columbus, Ohio on June 19 and addressed the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church. Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Chair of the Interfaith Committee of WSC-AR, represented the organization at the convention. He addressed the House of Bishops and House of Deputies on behalf of WSC-AR and all the other interfaith partners and guests of the Episcopal Church. Dr. Singh greeted the two Houses with salutations from the many world religions and shared with the Episcopalians the recent historic 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Siri Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Guru of the Sikh faith. The English translation of the Sikh Sabad 'No one is enemy, No one is stranger, I get along with all,' commonly referred to as the Sikh golden rule, was shared with the attendees. Copies of the WSC-AR approved brochure 'Siri Guru Arjan Sahib, The Fifth Nanak: Life, Message, and Martyrdom' was made available to House of Bishops... He further added, 'Building social justice will require people of faith to work across religious boundaries as peacemakers. It will also necessitate addressing faith supremacists within each of our own faiths.' Dr. Singh ended the remarks with blessings of 'peace with justice' for all. The Episcopal Church consists of more than 2 million adherents and is a member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. The two highest policy making bodies of the Church are the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The House of Bishops is made of more than 300 active and retired Bishops, while the House of Deputies is comprised of more than 800 representatives (up to four lay and four clergy persons elected by each diocese)."