The first world-wide day Day for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Healing and Justice was recently observed online, on 8 April 2021. This virtual event was hosted by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard Divinity School, the Chan School of Public Health and the Catholic Project at the Catholic University of America and the World Council of Churches.
RfPA
The Aussie Camino
The Aussie Camino is a picturesque pilgrimage inspired by Australia’s only saint, Mary MacKillop. The Way is from Portland, Victoria to Penola in South Australia, places associated with St. Mary McKillop of the Cross.
The Camino de Santiago, or “The Way of St James”, is a network of routes across Western Europe leading to the resting place of the apostle Saint James the Great.
While Caminos traditionally lead travellers to a place of spiritual significance, many of their walkers are not religious. Most are, however, open to soul-searching.
Last Words: Voluntary Assisted Dying
The Wheeler Centre will present Andrew Denton, Hon. Betty King and Dr Phillip Parente on Tuesday 20 April 2021, 6:30pm at the Malthouse Theatre (Outdoor Stage), in South Melbourne.
Tasmania – April 2021
Greetings of Peace! Many good wishes to everyone for this very rich time of blessings for many faith traditions … but isn’t every season a rich time of blessings?
However, every thought of peace is needed, as a number of the links below show there is growing evidence of hatred against some faiths. So it’s very important that understanding and solidarity are strengthened as we go forward.
Leading Faith Communities in Difficult Times
The Faith Communities Network of Tasmania met online on Sunday 21 March. Many leaders of faith communities (Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Shia, Brahma Kumaris, Baha’i) were present and spoke about their experience of being a faith community leader in times of lockdown. Religions for Peace was also represented with the Chair, Emeritus Professor Des Cahill OAM giving an address at the conclusion of the meet.
Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria in collaboration with The Holocaust Museum is presenting a specially produced webinar to commemorate Yom HaShoah online, 7 April 2021 at 7:30pm.
South Australia: Interfaith Matters March 2021
You are invited to Interfaith Matters at Hope’s Cafe (cnr Norwood Pde and Portrush Road) on 24 March 5.45 for 6 pm – 8 / 8.30. The theme is the art of abandoning/letting go; something central to many religions and spiritual practices.
Hobart: Sacred People – Sacred Earth
In connection with supporting Mother Earth, Religions for Peace Tasmania will be joining the International initiative of Greenfaith: Sacred People, Sacred Earth – GreenFaith at the Friends Meeting House (adjacent The Friends School) in New Town at 11:00 am
Queensland: Faith Communities Make Noise For Climate
More than one hundred Australian faith communities will ‘sound the alarm’ for the climate as part of a major global multi faith Day of Action on Thursday 11 March at 11am local time. Churches will ring bells, Rabbis will sound the shofar, Imams will call the Azan and other groups are holding silent vigils to draw attention to a series of demands of Prime Minister Scott Morrison for climate justice.
Sacred People Sacred Earth – Adelaide Sounds the Alarm on Climate Emergency
On 11th March at 11.00am religions and faiths all over the world will protest the shocking inaction on climate change by our governments, organised by Greenfaith International and the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change in Australia. In Adelaide, there will be an assembly on the steps of Parliament House, North Terrace, at 11 AM.
PERTH: Sound the Alarm for the Climate
The West Australian Chapter of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change will sound the alarm for the climate and ring the bells at the Wesley Uniting Church in the City at 11:00 Am on Thursday 11 March 2021.
Tasmania – March 2021
Greetings of Peace! We hope everyone is breathing a sigh of relief, as we are, that the summer in Tasmania has been cool and we have been blessed that the bushfire season has been milder than it has been in recent years.
In connection with supporting Mother Earth, Religions for Peace Tasmania will be joining the International initiative of Greenfaith: Sacred People, Sacred Earth – GreenFaith. We will join members of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) at 11am on Thursday 11 March 21 in the garden next to the Quaker Meeting House, Boa Vista Rd, New Town.
South Australia: Connect 4 Children at Hope’s Cafe
Hope’s Café is a joint project between Uniting Communities and the Clayton Wesley Uniting Church (Beulah Park, South Australia). It is run by Uniting Communities and is a place for people to come together to help each other to make a better community. Connect for Children happens every Tuesday from 11:00 to 12:30.
Victoria: Faith and hope during a pandemic
We are excited to share with you our upcoming event Faith and hope during a pandemic, brought to you by Whittlesea International Students Wellbeing Hub and supported by Study Melbourne. Join us on Monday 15 February at 6:30pm to hear international student experiences to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Powerhouse Museum exhibition celebrating Buddhist sculpture
A landmark exhibition of 16th century stone statuettes will touch down in Australia later this year — the first time the stone figures have left South Korea since they were discovered in the ruins of a Buddhist temple in 2001.
Tasmania – February 2021
Greetings of peace and many good wishes for the year ahead!
This week is UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, a celebration to promote a culture of peace and non-violence, particularly among people of faith.
It’s so important to celebrate the small acts of kindness that happen every day between people of different faiths to support one another in our daily lives and especially during difficult times.
We share a message honouring UN World Interfaith Harmony Week from the Chair of Religions for Peace Australia, Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill OAM, and a link to a message from the President of the Parliament of the World’s Religions announcing events which may be accessed online during February.
There is also a letter from Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Co-President of Religions for Peace International, to his countrymen in Myanmar after the coup which occurred there recently.
Queensland: World Interfaith Harmony Week
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the City of Brisbane will host a World Interfaith Harmony Week observance themed Crisis and Victory: How crisis brought us together, online, on Sunday 7 February 2021 at 2pm.
Closing of Griffith University’s Centre for Interfaith Dialogue and Culture
Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill – Chair of Religions for Peace Australia – writes on the closure of Griffith University’s Centre for Interfaith Dialogue and Culture. This talk was delivered on the evening of the Closing Ceremony (Thursday 17 December, 2020 at 6pm) by Religions for Peace Queensland representative Ron Black, of the Baha’i Community.