The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will take place in the month of June: the University of Sydney will host a lecture on the early Buddhist imagery of southern India. This will be both online and in-person.
News
NSW: Shoah Memorial Service
The NSW Shoah Memorial Service has a new date. Remembering the Holocaust: A memorial service for Christians and all people of compassion to remember 1933-1945. The Great Synagogue, 166 Castlereagh Street Sydney, NSW, on 31 May 2022
The Interfaith School: Interfaith Youth Movement in Facing Climate Change Challenges
The Interfaith School (SLI) is jointly organized by the Institute for Interfaith Dialogue in Indonesia, the Faculty of Theology, Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW), the Theology Faculty, Sanata Dharma University and the Ushuluddin Faculty, State Islamic University, Yogyakarta. The theme of the Interfaith School XIII, “Religion and Climate Change” is becoming increasingly relevant and needs to be followed up with concrete actions. This will take place on Saturday, 21 May 2022.
2022 National Social Cohesion & Inclusion Conference
The Australian Baha’i Community warmly invites you and representatives of your organisation to attend the fourth annual National Social Cohesion and Inclusion Conference. These conferences aim to explore the approaches, methods and experiences that can guide our country to foster greater social cohesion and inclusion into the future.
USCIRF Calls for Panchen Lama’s Release
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is once again calling for the release of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whom the Chinese government forcibly disappeared 27 years ago.
Belonging – Affirmations for Faith Leaders
In April of 2021, Religions for Peace and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched the Multi-religious Council of Leaders to strengthen efforts to address conflict, displacement, support peace building, inclusivity and reconciliation. Today, Religions for Peace in partnership with the World Council of Churches (WCC), have released the Affirmations of Belonging for Faith Leaders. Religions for Peace is indebted to the co-stewardship of the WCC, a member of its governing board.
The Kathmandu Statement
As a result of the Faith and Positive Change for Children Regional Faith Engagement Forum for South Asia, Religions for Peace and partners are proud to present the Kathmandu Statement which calls for collaboration to provide a better environment and promote well-being of children in South Asian along with sustaining relationships with faith actors in the region.
WCC, United Nations Environment Programme, Muslim Council of Elders, NY Board of Rabbis sign joint appeal for climate-responsible finance as a moral imperative towards children
The World Council of Churches (WCC), United Nations Environment Programme, Muslim Council of Elders, and NY Board of Rabbis have signed a landmark joint appeal, “Climate-Responsible Finance – A moral imperative and responsibility to all children and the living world“.
South Australia: Interfaith considers how we form belief
Pilgrim Uniting Church will host an interfaith forum at 6 pm, Wednesday evening 25 May on the topic of how belief is formed.
Apology, 800 years on, for laws that expelled Jews from England
The Church of England is to apologise for its “shameful actions” in passing anti-Jewish laws 800 years ago that paved the way for the expulsion of Jews from England.
A special service at Christ Church cathedral in Oxford on Sunday, marking the 800th anniversary of the Synod of Oxford, will be attended by Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, with representatives of the archbishop of Canterbury and a Roman Catholic bishop.
Noosa Temple of Satan education challenge dismissed by judge as ‘jumble of confected nonsense’
A Supreme Court judge has dismissed a group of Satanists’ bid to teach religious classes in some Queensland schools, describing the case as a “deplorable waste of state resources” and a political stunt.
Justice Martin Burns also directed group founder Robin Bristow to appear before him in two weeks to prove why he should not be prosecuted over his testimony.
Mr Bristow’s attempt to meet legal criteria of a religious organisation resulted in a “jumble of confected nonsense”, Justice Burns found.
Multi-Religious Efforts to Address the Root Causes of Forced Displacement and to Assist Refugees, Stateless and Internally Displaced People
Join Religions for Peace, UNHCR and PHAP for an online roundtable discussion on Monday, 9 May 2022 8:00am ET (local time here) to hear more about how the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders (MRCL) works to promote protection and solutions for refugees, stateless, and internally displaced people.
Holy Sparks: Celebrating 50 Years of Women in the Rabbinate
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.
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.
Prime Minister’s Message on occasion of Eid-al-Fitr 2022
Prime Minister’s Message on occasion of Eid-al-Fitr 2022
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, gives a message to the Islamic communities of Australia on occasion of Eid-al-Fitr 2022.
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.