Ritchie meets interchurch representatives

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, today addressed the bi- annual conference of CONNECT, the church fora and interchurch groups’ representative body.

The Minister addressed delegates, including church representatives and MLAs, who met to discuss the theme 'Building Community: Churches in Partnership'.

She paid tribute to the contribution made by faith based groups in supporting some of the most vulnerable people within our communities saying: “The existence and continued growth of CONNECT reflects the concerted effort the organisation is making, alongside local representatives from all sides of the community, to engage with one another across traditional divides, endeavouring to collectively make a positive difference to the quality of life and opportunities afforded to all.”

The Minister also pledged to continue to seek out ways of assisting faith based organisations to play their part in tackling disadvantage in their communities, including initiating consultation on the establishment of a new Faith Liaison and Advisory Forum which will seek to build more effective partnerships between Government and the Faith Sector and maximise the potential of existing inter-church and inter-faith networks.

She added: “Faith based organisations have much to offer working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations to address the worst examples of social deprivation, prejudice and poverty.”

Notes to Editors:

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