On June 3, 1972, Jewish and American history were made when Rabbi Sally Priesand was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion as the first woman rabbi in America. A pioneer who opened the way for generations across all denominations and around the globe, Rabbi Priesand set in motion the first steps toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and empowerment of new cohorts of leaders for the Jewish people over the past 50 years.
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Push to liberate religious swasti in NSW from its ‘indoor prison’
Surinder Jain has a dream: to normalise the swasti in Australia.
Not the hate symbol that featured on the Nazi flag and is still waved by far-right racists today. Jain is referring to the ancient icon that plays a central role in the religious practice of hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Surinder Jain, national vice president of the Hindu Council of Australia, has joined forces with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark to promote awareness of the sacred swasti.
Swaminarayan Mandir at the Sydney Opera House
In a city-first, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir has hosted a cultural parade and assembly in front of Sydney’s two most iconic monuments.
The socio-spiritual Hindu organisation marked the beginning of the centenary celebration of its fifth spiritual leader, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, on Saturday 23 April 2022. This event took place on the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House with breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in backdrop.
Spiritual Health Australia: Call to Action
In this Federal Election 2022, Spiritual Health Association calls for an Australian Government investment that enables Australians to have access to high-quality, safe spiritual care by building capacity across the health care system to recognise and respond to peoples’ spiritual needs.
Distinctive Catholic voices in the election campaign
John Warhurst is an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University. He has written the following article for Eureka Street, which is reproduced with permission.
On the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2017, Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism in Partnership with the Canberra Interfaith Forum and Religions for Peace Australia presented Emeritus Professor John Warhurst of Australian National University who gave the address on the topic of Government, Leaders and Faith in Australian Politics at Australian Parliament House Canberra, on Wednesday 15 February 2017.
There are many different types of Catholics with quite distinct Catholic voices in this election campaign. When the Church speaks we should expect diverse content despite the unifying force of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). The Plenary Council consultation has shown us where we stand as a diverse community, and further analysis shows that Catholics occupy the full spectrum of political opinion from the Greens and Independents, via Labor and the Coalition, to One Nation and the United Australia Party.
Statement from Australian faith leaders on Temporary Protection Visa Holders
Faith leaders from many religions have signed a statement urging the government – or the incoming government to put an end to Temporary Protection Visas and give settlement and security to those who have been held in durance vile in Australia for many years. Such is against the regard of the dignity and personhood of those incarcerated in the teachings of many religions. A list of signatories is given.
Pax Christi Asia Pacifc Online Prayers for Myanmar
Be kind to your mother-in-law, the victim of ‘cliches’, urges Pope
Following climate activist’s self-immolation, Buddhist leaders release statement
“If we had known about his plans, we would have stopped him in any way possible,” the statement reads. “That would be our spiritual, moral and legal responsibility.”
Faith perspectives on palliative care
How do we support the spiritual needs of patients who are terminally ill? Watch the following videos to learn more about various faith perspectives on palliative care, including: Bahá’í, Tibetan Buddhist, Celtic Pagan, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Representatives of these faiths share a brief outline of their beliefs and how they apply in end-of-life situations. They offer practical advice concerning appropriate ways to interact with a patient and their loved ones in the lead up to death and the period immediately following.
7th International Conference on Ecological Theology and Environmental Ethics
Ecothee 22 will be held at Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolympari, Chania, Greece, from 26-29 October 2022. This conference is under the Auspices of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and with the support of the World Council of Churches (WCC) – Care for Creation, sustainability and climate justice (Ecological and Economic Justice). There is a call for Abstracts.