Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue
and Ecumenism Centre of Singapore
ABOUT US
BENEVOLENT LOVE
FRATERNAL RESPECT
FULLNESS OF LIFE
The Archdiocesan Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism Centre of Singapore (AIRDECS) was officially opened and blessed on 3 February 2024 by His Eminence Cardinal William Goh as the first Catholic Centre of encounter and research in the Archdiocese of Singapore to promote religious harmony by discovering the presence of the Holy Spirit working amidst the pluralistic cultures and religions in Singapore with the two-fold mission of (i) promoting Christian unity with other Churches and ecclesial Communities and (ii) fostering a culture of encounter, dialogue and fraternity with our neighbour-religions and non-religious neighbours.
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OUR VISION
Catholic centre to discover the presence of the Holy Spirit working amidst the pluralistic cultures and religions in Singapore.
OUR MISSION
Promoting Christian unity with other Churches and ecclesial Communities.
Fostering a culture of encounter, dialogue, and fraternity with our neighbour-religions and non-religious neighbours.
OUR CORE VALUES
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Benevolent Love (Essence).
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Fraternal Respect (Foundation).
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Fullness of Life (Goal).
OUR OBJECTIVES
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Initiating and supporting interfaith and ecumenical dialogue.
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Forming Catholics in the mission of interreligious dialogue and ecumenism.
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Offering non-Catholics an opportunity to know Christianity.
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Collaborating with local, regional, and international partners.
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Promoting comparative study of religions.
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Promoting collaborative study with other Christian faiths.
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Cultivating peace and harmony with followers of different religions.
OUR EMBLEM
The emblem of AIRDECS features a heart with a plant and a cross above a globe. It is more than a visual representation of AIRDECS, with each colour bearing significance and meaning.​​
​​Red is for benevolent love, which is represented in the shape of a heart. “Beloved, let us love one another (…) for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). Motivated by our desire to express through our words and deeds what is in the best interest of another person, we strive to show this heartfelt love in our interactions with every person from any faith and non-faith group.
​Blue depicts fraternal respect, which is represented in the form of a globe. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Rooted in our deep sense of fellowship with each of us sharing the dignity of a human person, it is our duty to listen and to learn from another person.
Green is for fullness of life, which is represented in the form of a plant. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Our lives are enriched through encounter, dialogue, and fraternity. Since fullness of life is found only in Jesus Christ who is the Life, we strive to bring this Good News to all people we meet, so that they, too, can share this joy and live life to the fullest.
Gold is the colour of royalty for the King of kings; the Cross represents the self-donating love of Jesus Christ for all mankind. It indicates that AIRDECS is a Catholic organisation.
OUR TEAM
Rev Msgr Peter Zhang, CDD
Supervisor, AIRDECS
Vicar General (Interreligious and Ecumenical Relations)
Gerald Kong
Executive Secretary
Victor Teh
Senior Manager
COUNCILS
​As an office of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, AIRDECS works closely with the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Interreligious Dialogue (ACCIRD) and the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED). These councils are made up of Catholic members who contribute their time and expertise to advance the Church’s mission of dialogue.
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