ARCHBISHOP Mark Coleridge will present Margaret Naylon with a Papal award for her decades of leadership in advancing ecumenical and interfaith relations today.
The award, Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice, was the highest recognition for laity by the pope.
Ms Naylon said she was “extremely surprised and honoured” by the award.
“It is only because of the wonderful commitment of the Archdiocese of Brisbane for over 50 years to the advancement of ecumenical and interfaith relations that I have been able to do this work,” she said.
Ms Naylon has held the role of executive officer for the Council for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations since 2004.
She had assisted the archbishop in building relationships between the Catholic Archdiocese and other Christian denominations, while co-ordinating efforts with leaders of other faiths.
“I really love my job and find working with other Christians and people of other faiths very enriching and life-giving,” she said.
“You learn so much more about your own faith and also deepen your commitment when you relate to other faith-filled people.”
With over 35 years in ecumenism, Ms Naylon had witnessed many changes within the Church and its relations with other faith communities.
She was particularly proud of the 2009 signing of the Covenant with the Brisbane Anglican Diocese and the establishment of the Queensland Faith Communities Council in 2017.
Ms Naylon also cited the upcoming Holocaust Museum and Education Centre in Brisbane’s Cathedral Precinct as a proud accomplishment.
She hoped all her achievements could bring people together and create “safer places for all”.
“This is particularly important these days when people around the world seem to be retreating into their own private ghettos and looking for scapegoats to blame for the problems of the world,” she said.
“Working together is a much more productive and peaceful path to take.”
