11th Sifco Annual General Meeting |27 October 2023
Archdeacon Elizabeth addressing the gathering
‘The spiritual wellbeing of Seychelles is a priority of Sifco,’ says chairperson Archdeacon Elizabeth
“Seychelles Inter-Faith Council (Sifco) is steadfast in its commitment to promoting peace, national unity, and the reconciliation of our nation. The spiritual wellbeing of Seychelles is of paramount concern for Sifco,” declared chairperson, Archdeacon Danny Elizabeth during the council’s 11th Annual General Meeting yesterday at Domus, Victoria.
Archdeacon Elizabeth presented several significant points during the meeting, notably emphasising Sifco's role as the spiritual guardian of the country. “We are members of Sifco with a singular purpose – to enhance the spiritual wellbeing of our nation. We have to pray together to attain the necessary maturity to respect different faiths and religions. During the National Day celebration by Sifco, the aim was to offer thanksgiving, recognise our diversity and exchange peace.”
Another important point raised was the respect of places of worship and disposal of human remains. Sifco’s Constitution, Article 3 (c) states that SIFCO is to take a stand, in any form, in order to promote the human being, each and every human being, and all human beings, and their holistic and integrated development throughout the Republic of Seychelles.
"In this light, Sifco remains committed to encouraging all faiths and everyone to engage in spiritual renewal which promotes peace rather than ungodly practices that harm the society. Sifco is dismayed at the disgraceful incident which occurred at Takamaka cemetery in August 2023. We hope that such shameful acts are not repeated. Sifco calls for respect of all methods of disposal of human remains and Sifco calls on everyone to respect all places of worship,” stated the chair.
An additional announcement was made regarding the National Muslim Council of Seychelles, which has chosen to withdraw from Sifco. Current members of Sifco include representatives from the Hindu Faith, Buddhism Faith, Zoroastrian Society, Seychelles Evangelical Alliances, Roman Catholics, Anglican Church, and the Bahà’i Faith. Sifco is also in the process of refining its Constitution.
Archdeacon Elizabeth further emphasised that at the regional level, religious and faith councils are recognised as vital partners in peacekeeping missions, particularly in preventing and mediating crises.
“The role of Sifco as the spiritual guardian of Seychelles remains unchanged. The year 2024 precedes the year of the presidential and national assembly election in 2025, it is not too early for Sifco to call on all political parties to respect diversity and democracy. Members of Sifco will continue to pray for peace in Seychelles,” he added.
The chairperson also provided an update on the dialogue it had with the Ministry of Education regarding ethics education, where it was clarified that ethics education is a methodology and not a subject replacing religious education. This initiative is currently being piloted in Seychelles and other countries, and Sifco will participate in the project's evaluation in 2024.
Throughout the year, Sifco actively participated in three regional conferences; two organised by the Indian Ocean Commission on peace and stability, crisis prevention, and mediation in Mauritius and Madagascar, and one in South Africa, by a non-profit organisation focused on 'best practices in countering money laundering and terrorism in Africa’.
At the start of the meeting, attendees observed a minute of silence in remembrance of Archbishop Emeritus French Chang Him, a founding member of Sifco, who passed away on May 25, 2023. The meeting also commenced with a peace song performed by the vice-chairperson, Father Eric Léon. Two young ladies, Gaia Perolari and Antigone Frichotalso shared their thoughts about the ongoing war in Gaza and how Sifco should make a statement about peace.
Sifco’s message to conclude the AGM; ‘May our diversity be an expression of our maturity, rather than a cause for division’.
