Marking the 55th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, Vatican II’s landmark document that redefined the Catholic Church’s relationship with other religions, two major Jewish-Christian interfaith partners have exchanged statements hailing the progress between the two religions and calling attention to rising anti-Semitism around the globe.
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Essay competition for youth: “The Future of Interreligious Dialogue”
The World Council of Churches has announced an essay competition for youth who want to reflect on the theme “The Future of Interreligious Dialogue.” The contest marks the 50th anniversary of the WCC’s Office of Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation.
Churches condemn extremist attacks in France
World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed solidarity with the churches and people of France, and condolences to the families of the victims, in the wake of extremist attacks in Nice on 29 October.
Three dead in knife attack in French basilica
A man attacked several people with a knife in the Notre Dame basilica in Nice, France, around 9:00 AM on Thursday, France time.
At least three people died and several were injured, according to the police, who said that one woman was beheaded, Reuters reports.
Police have arrested the perpetrator of the attack, tweeted Nice mayor Christian Estrosi. “I confirm that everything points to a terrorist attack in the Basilica of Our Lady of Nice,” he added.
World Council of Churches and Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue commemorate 25 years of fruitful dialogue
Beginning with a meeting in Geneva in 1995, and alternating between there and Tehran, the World Council of Churches and the Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue have met regularly, addressing a number of themes including: “Religion and the Contemporary World,” “Religions and Globalisation,” “Religion and Peaceful Coexistence” and “Spirituality and Modernity.” Now, the signing of a celebratory certificate commemorates 25 years of fruitful dialogue, leaders from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation in Tehran met online on 27 October.
Not in Our Name, Never in Our Name: A Conversation with Muslim Faith Leaders Echoing the Wisdom of a Pontiff
Muslims – leaders, laypeople, communities, and multiple institutions – have condemned, continue to condemn and will always condemn violence in the name of their faith. As the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb said on October 20: “As a Muslim and being the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, I declare before Almighty God that I disassociate myself, the rulings of the religion of Islam, and the teachings of the Prophet of Mercy, the Prophet Muhammad, from such heinous terrorist act and from whoever would embrace such deviant, false thought.
Global religious leaders call for ‘Faith for Earth Coalition’:
In a major livestreamed conference from Iceland, global religious leaders have called for a ‘Faith for Earth Coalition’ to halt environmental and climate degradation, insisting that “through hope, faith, empathy and reason we can build a better future”. “The time has come for people of faith to work together for the planet given into our care”, the coalition stated.
G20 Interfaith Forum calls for “convergence” between faith and state actors in global policy-making
Attracting an extraordinary assembly of diverse representatives from world religious and interreligious networks and communities, the seventh annual G20 Interfaith Forum concluded its meetings on Saturday after five days of sessions that addressed the COVID-19 emergencies, climate change, social, racial, and economic disparities, environmental challenges, the preservation and safeguarding of sacred sites including places of worship, and other pressing issues.
Victoria Police says it won’t investigate Vatican wire transfer claims
Victoria Police says there is no evidence to warrant an investigation into allegations that Vatican funds were used in an attempt to secure the conviction of Cardinal George Pell. Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera earlier this month claimed a rival of Pell’s, former cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, was suspected of arranging for €700,000 ($1.1 million) to be transferred to people in Australia to support the prosecution of child sex abuse charges against Pell.
Pope Francis Address at Church of Saint Maria in Aracoeli
This event is promoted by the Community of Sant’Egidio (presided over by Impagliazzo). Every year, the Meeting recalls the historic Day of Prayer for Peace convoked in Assisi by St. Pope John Paul II in 1986, with representatives of all the world religions. Below is given the address of Pope Francis: It is a gift to pray together. I greet all of you cordially and with gratitude, especially my brother, His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and dear Bishop Heinrich, President of the Council of the Evangelical Church of Germany.
Buddhist volunteers feeding Melbourne’s worst affected determined to see out the pandemic
Since the second wave of coronavirus infections began in Victoria, volunteers from the Quang Minh Buddhist Temple have provided nearly 900 vegan meals to people in the Melbourne suburbs of Footscray and Braybrook. They’re now determined to see out the pandemic.
Christianity Today on QAnon
A former editor of Christianity Today writes about the unfolding cult by name QAnon. Among QAnon’s most troubling aspects are its misuse of the Bible to disguise its deception and its increasing function as a syncretic cult of semi-Christian heresy.
