Sunday Eucharist at St Pauls to focus on Dalits

This Sunday’s 6pm meditative Eucharist at St Paul’s Cathedral will focus on the theme of untouchability and the Dalit community in India.

The Eucharist is the second in a series of three on the theme of untouchability, held on Sundays to coincide with the groundbreaking photography exhibition Being Untouchable, by Marcus Perkins for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The preacher is The Reverend Dr Margaret Kalaiselvi of Tamilnadu Theological Seminary.

Being Untouchable is a rare and intimate series of portraits of the lives of Indian Dalits (previously known as “untouchables”), that exposes the present-day impact of these centuries of oppression, and explores how although “untouchability” was abolished by India’s Constitution, it continues to be practised today. Being Untouchable is being displayed by St Paul’s Cathedral until 6 July.

CSW’s National Director Stuart Windsor said, “We welcome St Paul’s Cathedral’s focus on the plight of Dalits in India, and hope that this meditative Eucharist will serve to amplify the cause of justice for them.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Notes to Editors:

1. Listings information:

Being Untouchable: an exhibition of photography by Marcus Perkins for CSW’

Date: Tuesday 14th June – Wednesday 6th July 2011

Venue: St Paul’s Cathedral

Time: 8.30am – 4pm

Tickets: Normal admission charges applyMeditative Eucharist: The Dalits of India’

Preacher: The Revd Dr Margaret Kalaiselvi, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary

Date: Sunday 26th June

Venue: St Paul’s Cathedral

Time: 6pm

Entry is free and all are welcome

Meditative Eucharist: The Untouchable Within’

Preacher: The Revd Canon Mark Oakley, Treasurer, St Paul’s Cathedral

Date: Sunday 3rd July

Venue: St Paul’s Cathedral

Time: 6pm

Entry is free and all are welcome

2. St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s is the cathedral church of the diocese of London, which it has served for over 1,400 years. The current building has become a potent symbol of the life of a nation and is one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late seventeenth century, its stones have absorbed the hopes, fears, sorrows and joys of generations and stand as a enduring symbol of our communion with those gone before and those still to come. Each year nearly two million people flock to the cathedral for services, concerts, debates, educational events, performing arts and sightseeing. All are most welcome.

3. Marcus Perkins

Since 1992, Marcus Perkins has worked in over 90 countries covering humanitarian, corporate and commercial assignments. Experience, flexibility, and a natural ability to engage the people and the communities he photographs, has earned him his clients’ confidence to represent them positively anywhere in the world. Best known for his work documenting humanitarian and human rights issues, Marcus remains deeply committed to communicating the heart of a story through the power of the still image.

ENDS