World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended congratulations to Dr Francis Kuria Kagema, who was appointed as the new secretary general for the Religions for Peace World Council.
Tasmania April 2024
Greetings of peace and Eid Mubarak, blessed festival, for the celebration of the end of Ramadan!
Steps Leading Towards Harmony: World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture
Religions for Peace Australia and Canberra Interfaith Forum hosted the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture at Parliament House, Canberra on 28 February 2024. The Guest Speaker was Dr. Pal Dhall, International speaker and presenter on Human Values with experience integrating ethics and human values of mankind’s religions to create harmony and peace in society and culture.
Conference Report: Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice – An Indigenous Theological Revolution
This report focuses on a groundbreaking four-day conference held under the auspices of the School of Indigenous Studies established in 2022 by the University of Divinity. Conference Report: Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice was a four-day conference held 5-8 February 2024, at St Paschal’s College, Box Hill, Victoria. This report is provided by Emeritus Professor Des Cahill, President – Religions for Peace Australia, Moderator – Asian Conference of Religions for Peace.
Our Earth – how do we work together to heal the devastation of war and create hope for our children?
A talk will be given by visiting Palestinian Christian ecologist, Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh on Monday evening, 22 April 2024. This interfaith gathering is a collaboration between Interfaith Matters! Forum, Multifaith SA and Religions for Peace Australia.
Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries
Throughout history, solar eclipses have had profound impact on adherents of various religions around the world. They were viewed as messages from God or spiritual forces, inducing emotions ranging from dread to wonder.
Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will follow a long path over North America on Monday, here’s a look at how several of the world’s major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.
Religion plays dual role in intimate partner violence
Spirituality and religion can have a dual role in intimate partner violence, being both a coping mechanism for victim-survivors and a tool used to abuse, control or erode confidence, according to a new report from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).
Displaced Palestinian Christians Mark Easter in Gaza’s Only Catholic Church
Somber Easter celebrations were held on Sunday for hundreds of displaced Palestinians at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City. The only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip held Easter celebrations on Sunday for hundreds of displaced Palestinian Christians who have been sheltering within its compound since the war began nearly six months ago.
‘After Death’ collects stories of near-death experiences — and life afterward
If you’re looking for a new film to add to your yearly Easter watchlist, Angel Studios has just the one for you. Their docudrama “After Death” features the gripping accounts of real people who survived near-death experiences, and lived to tell the tale.
Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire, release of all Israeli hostages in address on Easter Sunday
Pope Francis renewed his calls for the release of all Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza on Easter Sunday.
Pope Francis also called for “a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine” during his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) address.
After Sunday’s Easter service he took to his open-topped popemobile to tour St. Peter’s Square.
Growing number of men in outback mining hub of Mount Isa turning to yoga for mental health
Men in the outback mining industry are turning to yoga to help deal with stress and mental health.
Advocates say a Mount Isa yoga program is helping to fill major gaps in outback mental health services, especially for men.
The local leader of the program is hoping to see even more men take to the yoga mat.
Leaders from various faiths were invited to break fast at a Brisbane mosque over Easter
It’s often thought food brings people from all walks of life together, but for a mosque in Brisbane’s south — it was fasting.
While Easter celebrations continue across the country, more than 100 people gathered at an interfaith symposium in Stockleigh to not only observe Ramadan but to embrace all religions.
The annual event held by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community included leaders from Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths, as well as the local Imam.
