Worldwide, both government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion decreased modestly from 2013 to 2014 despite a rise in religion-related terrorism, according to Pew Research Center’s latest annual study on global restrictions on religion.
News
Introduction to Spiritual Care in Aged Care
This video gives a short overview of some key spiritual needs of older people. It illustrates that basic spiritual care is part of all roles and is not about ‘more work’ but ‘the way you work’. This is core to the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Aged Care.
Refugee Week: Pope Francis Has Refugees With Him on Stage
Christians must not exclude, and are to welcome their suffering brothers and sisters. Pope Francis stressed this today during his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, where he was accompanied by a group of at least 14 refugees seated near him on the stage.
World Council of Churches: Have No Fear
Refugees assume serious risks in trying to reach safety. At the same time, fears arise in European countries concerning the stability of societies and their ‘way of life’. These fears are increasingly used and manipulated by populist, nationalist political movements stoking the fire of insecurity and xenophobia. The so-called refugee crisis is treated as a security issue rather than a humanitarian one, and this has to be challenged; this is preventing progress gives reason to the fear people have, as real needs are not met, writes the Luntern Conference of the World Council of Churches.
Laudato Si’ first anniversary: interfaith impact
(Vatican Radio) June 18th marks the first anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, focused on the care of our common home.
Prime Minister holds national Iftar in Sydney
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted a Ramadan Iftar on Thursday evening 16 June at Kirribilli House, Sydney, a first by an Australian Prime Minister. The invited guests included Muslim leaders and young activists from all states as well as interfaith representatives from Sydney. Mr Turnbull greeted Muslims saying, “I am honoured to be the first Australian Prime Minister to host an Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan. To the approximately five hundred thousand Muslim Australians across our country and to more than one and half billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan Kareem.”
Pope Praises 1st Graduates of Gregorian’s Safeguarding Minors Diploma
From Vatican Radio:
Pope Francis has commended the Pontifical Gregorian University’s recently created Centre for Child Protection (CCP) and expressed his hope that new graduates will be “brave and committed” to the prevention of sexual abuse of minors. On Tuesday, the first 19 students of the Centre’s new Diploma of Advanced Studies, “Safeguarding Minors” received their degree in a graduation ceremony in Rome.
Islamic Scholar: There is a cancer in our midst
Islamic Scholar Dr. Al-Ninowy of Medina Institute and head of six seminaries, has told: Yet again we find ourselves condemning the irrational and ungodly actions of a madman who was misguided by a wicked and corrupt social and/or political ideology that twists and misinterprets Islam to justify what can only be termed as satanic actions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones during this moment of intense sadness.
Western Papua: Human Rights Investigation by Catholic Justice and Peace Commission Brisbane
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission of Brisbane’s report on its shadow human rights fact finding mission to West Papua this year finds that there is no improvement in human rights in West Papua. It calls for action at the UN to investigate human rights abuses and for the Indonesian Government to negotiate with the United Liberation Movement for West Papua to find a pathway towards self determination.
NSW: Women’s Interfaith Network at 17
The Women’s Interfaith Network is a gathering of women of different religious traditions who work to promote mutual understanding and acceptance among the followers of the various world religions. This meeting was to celebrate 17 years of the Women’s Interfaith Network meeting and conducting events.
Victoria: Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan in Dandenong
More than 2000 Sikh members from Melbourne took to the streets of Dandenong this Sunday, 10th April to mark annual celebrations of Khalsayee festival of Vaisakhi. A huge religious procession was held from Dandenong Plaza at 9:30 am, through the streets of the surrounding area, to finish at Dandenong park at 4pm.
Conference of the Colloquium on Violence & Religion
The Australian Catholic University invites you to participate in the Annual Conference of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion|6th Annual Conference of the Australian Girard Seminar at ACU, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Wednesday 13 July 2016 to Sunday 17 July 2016.
