On 20 June, World Refugee Day will be observed with the theme “Every Action Counts” by all who are striving for a more just, inclusive, and equal world. The UN Refugee Agency, in a Global Trends report released this week, indicates that 1% of all of humanity is displaced. That is 79.5 million people fleeing conflict, violence and persecution worldwide.
Darwin: Eid Celebration
Eid marks the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan during which there is fasting from sunrise to sunset. The Muslim community observed the end of Ramadan with the Australian Federal Police along with NT Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison and other representatives.
World Unity Week
World UNITY Week is a stop along the road and a “birthing space” for a larger-scale global celebration across Peace Weekend 2020 (September 19-21), centred on the annual U.N. International Day of Peace (September 21). World Unity Week is a celebration of interfaith harmony, appreciation of the Earth’s gifts and resources, and promotion of Open Space for dialogue and exchange.
Russian priest who called coronavirus a ‘pseudo-pandemic’ seizes convent
A rogue Russian priest who denies the existence of Covid-19 has seized a convent in the Urals region and announced he will only be removed by force.
Father Sergei Romanov stormed the Sredneuralsk convent this week, after being banished by church leaders in April for protesting the closure of churches due to the coronavirus epidemic, which he called a “pseudo-pandemic”.
Islamic Council of Victoria launches Caring for Muslim Patients Handbook
The Islamic Council of Victoria yesterday launched the “Caring for Muslim Patients Handbook” in its third edition. Viv Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission conducted the book launch. Proper care of Muslim patients often arises in rural and regional healthcare centres where this is not a significant migrant and settlement populations. Such publications are important for excellence in health care in both urban and regional/rural centres.
60 Years of Christian Unity – Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
In the field of multilateral relations, the major partner of the Catholic Church is the World Council of Churches (WCC). Founded in 1948, it is the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical organization, bringing together 350 Christian denominations including Orthodox, Lutherans, Reformed, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists as well as United and Independent churches. Altogether they represent over 500 million Christians worldwide.
Vatican document on integral ecology: Safeguarding Creation is everyone’s responsibility
Several Vatican offices teamed up to release a document entitled “Journeying for the care of the common home”, which offers a guide to all Christians on how to maintain a healthy relationship with Creation. This was given on the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato si” (Praise Be) calling on the world to act to stop the human destruction of the planet.
International Day of Yoga – 21 June
International Day of Yoga celebrates the physical activity known as yoga practice in the Western world. Whereas it originated in India to enable flow of energy through meridians in the body – as part of spiritual practice and efficacy – yoga today is principally recognised for the asana poses that that those who go to yoga classes to practice. The theme of International Day of Yoga for 2020 is Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family.
Refugee Week: Between Welcome and Exclusion – Australia and the Politics of Asylum during COVID-19
Refugee week 2020’s theme is “A Year of Welcome”. Join us to explore what this has actually looked like in Australia during a time of crisis.
The Future is Cultural Equity
Multicultural Arts Victoria CEO Veronica Pardo has written in Arts Hub on the importance of a recovery based on cultural equity, as a way of addressing the substantive underrepresentation of people of colour and culturally diverse people in the arts. More than that, however, and equitable, representative and inclusive sector has the power to shift the dial on racism, and how we see ourselves as Australia. This is a powerful call to the arts sector to commit to the fight for racial justice.
Submission to Senate Select Committee Inquiry into COVID-19
On 8 April 2020, the Senate resolved to establish a Select Committee on COVID-19 to inquire into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee is to present its final report on or before 30 June 2022. Religions for Peace Australia has made a comprehensive and wide-ranging submission to the Select Committee.
Dalai Lama: Only Genuine Compassion Will Do
It’s not sufficient, says the Dalai Lama, to simply think that compassion is important. We must transform our thoughts and behaviour on a daily basis to cultivate compassion without attachment. Before we can generate compassion and love, it is important to have a clear understanding of what we understand compassion and love to be.
