There are people temporarily resident in Australia on Safe Haven or Temporary Protection Visas. The Australian Government, in all good conscience, will not be able to return most of these people to their country of origin on account of refoulment matters. If they are sent home, they are likely to be incarcerated or lose their lives. Bishop Philip Huggins make a plea for their concern.
News
Life Matters Queensland
Initiatives of Change will conduct a Life Matters Workshop on Saturday 15 February at 1:30pm. Initiatives of Change presents and invites you to Story Sharing – towards a New Narrative, in Logan, Queensland.
Faith Ecology Network – Ten Ways to Care Workshop
Faith Ecology Network will conduct another of their Ten Ways to Care workshops on Wednesday 26 February. This event will be online. The focus will be on Forest Ecology and collaboration with groups who are helping protect forests, especially for the Great Koala National Park. Presenters come from Uniting Church Forest Chaplaincy and a Prominent Ecologist.
Victorian Open Mosque Day 2025
The annual Victorian Mosque Open Day will be back on the 15th of February from 10:00am. Mosques in Victoria look forward to hosting visitors with dozens of local mosques ready to open their doors to the whole Victorian community.
Can January 26 be a day of loving awareness of those who are hurting?
There is a Hebrew word for loving kindness, hesed. Islamic scholars teach that Abraham our patriarch represented hesed and Ishmael comes from Abraham, therefore Islam represents hesed. In its inwardness, Islam is a religion of hesed, mercy and kindness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” The Abrahamic Religions offer us a most important teaching, to be merciful, kind and loving towards the dispossessed, the oppressed. Bishop Philip Huggins offers a reflection.
Call for reflection on Australia Day
Just released: Australia Day 2025 Reflection and Discernment Guide from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council urges the nation to engage in deep reflection and prayer as Australia Day 2025 approaches.
The Guide is filled with hope and extends a warm invitation to embark on a journey together, fostering respect and appreciation. Its goal is to inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation
Could ‘criminals for hire’ be behind some antisemitic attacks in Australia?
Federal authorities have confirmed they suspect “criminals for hire” may be responsible for some antisemitic attacks in Australia that have seen synagogues, cars, buildings and a childcare centre targeted with arson, graffiti and vile abuse.
But the question of who might be paying any such alleged criminals, and why they want to target the Jewish community in Australia, remains unanswered as police and intelligence agencies continue to investigate the attacks.
World Interfaith harmony Forum 2025
United Religions Initiative (URI) is a global, grassroots, interfaith organization established in 2000 to promote enduring daily interfaith cooperation, end religiously motivated violence, and create cultures of peace, justice, and healing for the Earth and all living beings. It focuses on fostering respect, understanding, and collaboration among people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions. United Religions Initiative will conduct a World Interfaith Harmony Forum on 1 February at 3PM (PST).
Bahá’í International Community Statement explores spiritual dimension of human prosperity
Human prosperity depends as much on social, moral, and relational factors as on technological, material, and financial ones, says the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) in a statement released ahead of the upcoming 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development, which will be held in February at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Joint Statement on Hate Crime in Australia
Human Rights Watch, Jewish Council of Australia, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Australian National Imams Council, Human Rights Law Centre and Amnesty International condemn a recent spate of antisemitic hate crimes in Australia. A joint statement from these faith bodies and human rights bodies has been issued.
Tim Costello speaks on Social Cohesion
Tim Costello is a well known pastor of the Baptist Church, and a senior fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity. He is a strong advocate for gambling reform, and for care of the poor and homeless in our communities. Looking beyond the headline issues and tag-wrestling politics, Tim Costello shares some sober reflections on social cohesion.
Memorial Service for Michael Leunig
The Family of Michael Leunig and St Paul’s Cathedral will hold a Memorial Service to Honour and Celebrate the life of Michael Leunig on 30 January 2025, at 2:00pm. Entry to the Cathedral will commence from 1:00pm. This Memorial Service will provide an opportunity for family, friends, and the Victorian Community to come together to remember Michael’s remarkable life and the lasting impact made on us all.
