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Press Release - Appointment of Canon Hilary Barber as Co-Chair of the Inter Faith Network for the UK

It has been announced by the Board of the Inter Faith Network for the UK that from 1 January the Revd Canon Hilary Barber will be taking up the role of Co-Chair, following the standing down of the Rt Revd Jonathan Clark at the end of the year

It has been announced by the Board of the Inter Faith Network for the UK that from 1 January the Revd Canon Hilary Barber will be taking up the role of Co-Chair, following the standing down of the Rt Revd Jonathan Clark at the end of the year, ahead of the latter’s retirement as Bishop of Croydon.

Canon Barber will be Co-Chair from IFN’s National Faith Community Representative Bodies category of membership. He joins Co-Chair Narendra Waghela, from IFN’s local inter faith organisation and other categories membership. Canon Barber will also become ex officio a Co-Moderator of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum.  

Canon Barber said: “The work of the Inter Faith Network of the UK is of enormous importance. I am delighted to have been appointed. I will do everything I can, with God's help, to enable the Inter Faith Network to thrive and flourish so that it can continue to be a vital resource for the development of inter faith cooperation and understanding in the UK.”

Canon Barber is the Vicar of Halifax Minster in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Prior to that, he worked in the Diocese of Manchester.  He is involved in both national and local inter faith engagement. He has a particular interest in the area of faith and the public square and practical cooperation of faiths for the benefit of local communities and society and in tackling division within society. 

IFN is the UK’s main inter faith linking body. Its members include national faith community representative bodies; national, regional and local inter faith organisations; and educational and academic bodies with an inter faith dimension to their work.  One of its major programmes is national Inter Faith Week.  www.interfaith.org.uk

14 December 2021

Photo credit: Chris Lord Photography

Notes for editors

  1. Press queries to the Inter Faith Network: tel 020 7730 0410; email ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.
  2. The Inter Faith Network for the UK www.interfaith.org.uk was founded in 1987 to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in Britain and to promote good relations between people of different faiths in this country. It works with its member bodies and others to carry out these aims.  One of its major programmes is Inter Faith Week. www.interfaithweek.org
  3. Member bodies of the Inter Faith Network include: national faith community representative bodies; national, regional and local inter faith organisations; and academic institutions and educational bodies concerned with inter faith issues. http://www.interfaith.org.uk/members