The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has commenced an inquiry into international armed conflict decision making with the terms of reference referred by the Minister of Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP. Religions for Peace Australia has made a submission to the Inquiry.
RfPA
Prayers and Sacred Reflections responding to Floods in Australia
In the latter part of 2022, parts of Australia’s east coast were hit with ongoing flooding, just one week after the declaration of a rare third La Niña. Torrential widespread rain and storms across much of the inland south-east caused major flooding from already full waterways across southern Queensland, inland New South Wales and northern Victoria.
In response to the damage and suffering caused to those in flooded townships – and in small towns – and in the byways of regional Australia and Tasmania, Religions for Peace Australia will conduct Prayers for the welfare of all involved and affected, and for all who are suffering ongoing dislocation and illnesses.
Prayers and Sacred Reflections responding to Floods in Australia will take place online on Tuesday 13 December at 7:30pm. Participants will attend from all states.
Forget $3000 caskets, meet the guy who paints cardboard coffins in Canberra
Tender Funerals is a not-for-profit, largely volunteer-run funeral company with operations in Sydney, the Illawarra region, and the Mid-North Coast. Giving the family maximum control at a low cost is their unique selling point. A cardboard coffin like the one in his garage wholesales for $135 at Daisy Box Australia. Tender Funerals adds a small fee and sells them to members of the public to decorate as they please.
Domestic violence in the church – guiding survivors to healing and hope
“Take a stand for the survivor, challenge the abuser and contest dismissive attitudes, while always seeking the safety, sanity and dignity of the survivor with your words and behaviour.”
This quote is from Renew, an Australian Guide for Christian Women Survivors of Domestic Abuse, published by Anglicare, which aims to be a helpful resource for survivors and for those who walk alongside them.
“It’s a place that they can find helpful, practical information,” says Lynda Dunstan, Anglicare Family and Domestic Violence Adviser, who is the Australian Editor of Renew, an adaptation of Restored, UK’s handbook for Christian women survivors of domestic abuse.
NSW religious leaders unite to help end domestic violence
More than 70 prominent religious leaders representing all major faiths signed a declaration on Tuesday with the NSW Government to help end domestic violence.
Tasmania: November-December 2022
Greetings of peace!
We hope everything is going peacefully for you, your families and your communities as we enter another season of holy days to end the old year (where did that year go?) and begin a new one full of possibilities.
Canberra: Youth Interfaith Forum
The Canberra Interfaith Forum (CIF) would like to invite you and your partner to its Youth Forum on “Interfaith and Care of Environment” on Thursday, 1st December at 5:30 pm at the Baha’i Center.
Meditation and The Sanctuary Experience
In times of challenges presented by weather and the local environment, mental health is most important for those suffering the impact of extremes in their personal environment. The Brahma Kumaris community of Australia has produced a series of meditations which may be of help in bringing peoples to inner stillness. We take a look at The Sanctuary Experience and how it can help people experiencing extreme, emotional challenges.
Western Australia: Jewish community backs calls for swastika ban
An auction of Nazi memorabilia, including a card signed by Adolf Hitler and a banner, has led to renewed calls for Western Australia to ban the public display of the swastika.
Queensland: Bishop Putney Memorial Lecture 2022
Queensland Churches Together and the Brisbane Roman Catholic Council for Ecumenism and Inter Religious Relations will this year present the annual Bishop Michael Putney Memorial Lecture in the Hanly Room, Francis Rush Centre, Brisbane, on evening of 17 November 2022 at 7:00pm.
Faith Communities Sharing Preventing Family Violence
Religions for Peace Australia invites people of faith in Australia involved in working with or thinking of working with faith communities/ faith leaders on the prevention of family violence to an informal Zoom gathering.
Victoria: Sacred Expressions of the Human Spirit
The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne invites you to Sacred Expressions of the Human Spirit, at St Michael’s Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, on Sunday 20 November, commencing at 4pm. This concert brings together Australia’s First Nations Didgeridoo master alongside some of Australia’s leading sacred music practitioners.
Perth religious leaders take public stance against new coal and gas projects
A multi-faith church service was held in Perth is part of a wider call across Australia for an end to new coal and gas projects.
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change group has organised the event.
About 100 religious leaders have urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to make a stronger commitment to climate change at the upcoming United Nations conference in November
Pig’s Head left at Gold Coast Mosque
Queensland police have confirmed they are investigating a pig’s head and heart placed at the entry of a mosque. The Chairperson of Gold Coast Mosque, Hussin Goss, said he was “shocked” to find the animal remains before Friday prayer.
Launch of Religions for Peace Northern Territory Branch
On October 19, Dr Edwin Joseph, the NT Convener of Religions for Peace Australia, it gives me immense pleasure to witness the official launch of the Northern Territory Chapter hosted by the NT Speaker Hon Mark Monaghan MLA: Member for Fong Lim at the Parliament House. Great to have representatives coming together from several faiths like Jew, Sikh, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai, etc.
South Australia: Beyond the Garden Gate
Beyond the Garden Gate is a forum for Churches Together to acknowledge the disturbance of God’s creation. The forum will explore practical ways to care for the environment, and create a safe future by learning to live more lightly on God’s earth.
Colonial Bondage: Liberating Theological Education
The University of Divinity presents the Professorial Lecture of Professor Anne Pattel-Gray who will share her insights into Australia’s First Nations religious and spiritual beliefs and practices that form the core of her theology.
She will explain how we are all held captive by our colonial heritage and that our theological education and institutions require liberation in order to be set free.
She will further explain the process to decolonise biblical and theological narratives and challenge Christians to become the radical change that is so desperately needed to transform a Nation.
Tasmania: October 2022
Greetings of peace!
As we move towards the end of the year, opportunities to work for peace in ourselves and in our communities seem to be presenting themselves on every hand. I’m reminded of the old piece of graffiti on an old warehouse in Bathurst St, which said ‘If not us, then who? If not here, then where? If not now, then when?’ It was put up there 30 years ago or more, but still echoes in my mind.
