Steve Wright and his family went abroad with the Church Mission Society after his curacy and in his years abroad in Nigeria, Kuwait and the UAE and learned much from his interactions with those of other backgrounds. Speaking about this time, Steve said: “In the Gulf in particular, with Church set in an Islamic society I enjoyed relating not only with those of other faiths, but also to a wide breadth of Christian denominations in the region.”
He was chairman of the local council of churches in Jebel Ali, Dubai for about six years and worked with the government to find ways of enabling church leaders from the full breadth of church expression there to relate to the government in a positive way in an environment where both church and state were adapting constantly to new developments in the rapid expansion of the city.
Here in Norfolk he has attended some interfaith events in the diocese and looks forward to see what this new role will bring.
About the appointment, Bishop Graham has said:
“I am delighted that Steve Wright has agreed to be my Interfaith Adviser in succession to Bishop David Gillett. Bishop David has undertaken this role over many years with great distinction and, as a result, is held in much affection by members of other faith communities. Steve brings a wealth of experience having spent much of his ministry in the Middle East where he experienced what it has felt like to be a minority religion. I am sure that he will continue to build strong partnerships with communities across Norfolk and Waveney so that people of faith can work together to serve the common good.”