A B.C. theologian who has worked to build bridges between Christians and Muslims and a former Conservative MP who has long championed religious freedom have been appointed to the advisory council of the Religious Freedom Institute at the Ontario-based religious think tank Cardus.

According to Cardus, Victoria-based theologian Chris Stackarus while in seminary co-founded Neighborly Faith, “a charity that introduces Muslims and Evangelical Christians to one another on college campuses across North America.

He is completing his PhD in theological studies at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto where he writes on the history of Vatican II, said Cardus. “An important part of my work has been to build bridges with the Muslim community in Canada and to speak out against anti-Muslim attitudes,” said Stackaruk. “We can’t have religious freedom in Canada unless we genuinely respect our differences,” he added.

Also appointed to the Cardus council is David Anderson, who represented the Saskatchewan riding of Cypress Hills-Grasslands until last year when he announced he was retiring from politics before the fall federal election.

Source: The B.C. Catholic