The Broken Bay Institute in partnership with The Sociological Association of Australia’s (TASA) Sociology of Religion Thematic Group will conduct the 2016 Symposium on the topic of Religion and Young People Today – Diverse Beliefs in Turbulent Times
News
There’s no app for happiness, Pope Francis tells Teens
Happiness “is not an ‘app’ that you can download on your phones nor will the latest update help you become free and great in loving,” Pope Francis told thousands of teenagers. The Pope also surprised many teenagers by appearing in St Peter’s Square to hear the sacrament of reconciliation.
Sign the Interfaith Statement on Climate Change
The Interfaith Climate Change Statement to World Leaders (2016) outlines religious leaders and faith communities positive judgement of the adopted Paris Agreement and urges for its prompt signature and ratification by governments so that it can come into force as soon as possible. It also insists that there is a significant increase in the current levels of ambition relating to emission reductions, financial flows, adaptation, loss and damage and a swift phase out of fossil fuel subsidies – so as to keep temperatures within reach of 1.5C.
Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development
The High-level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took place on Thursday, 21 April 2016, at UN Headquarters in New York. Following opening keynote speeches, plenary convened throughout the day for national statements on the theme “Action at All Levels: National Implementation.” In the morning, two panels took place on the theme “Financing poverty eradication and sustainable development,” addressing successful frameworks and strategies for financing SDGs and the paradigm shift towards low carbon societies, and enhancing international cooperation in tax and financial matters.
The Vatican’s Cricket Team
(Vatican Radio) As Britain’s Queen Elizabeth turns 90 years old, the Royal Household of Windsor Cricket team is arriving in Rome on Thursday for an encounter with the Vatican XI, St. Peter’s Cricket Club, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture.
Pope Francis Brings Back 12 Refugees to Vatican
Pope Francis transformed the lives of a dozen Syrian refugees on Saturday when he plucked three families from a crowded camp on the Greek island of Lesbos and took them back to Rome.
Pope’s Message to Peacebuilding Conference
Pope Francis has sent a Message to the participants in a conference sponsored by Pax Christi International, the Catholic Peacebuilding Network, and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, exploring the theme: Nonviolence and Just Peace: Contributing to the Catholic Understanding of and Commitment to Nonviolence.
Perth: Stop the Mosque Banner at AFL Match removed, evictions follow
Racism has reared its ugly head again at a Perth AFL match after four people were ejected from Saturday night’s western derby at Domain Stadium for erecting an anti-mosque banner. The banner stunt came a week after an anti-Muslim banner was unfurled at the MCG during Collingwood’s win over Richmond in round two.
Victoria: Emergencies Ministry training
VCC Emergencies Ministries training is a comprehensive training package designed to equip members of faith communities to support affected residents through their participation in VCC Emergency Ministry deployments. VCC Emergencies Ministry Training will conduct Psychological First Aid/ Personal Support training on Saturday 16 April 2016 at Mt Eliza.
Victoria: Royal Commission Report into Family Violence – Section on Faith Communities
On Tuesday 29 March 2016, Australia’s first Royal Commission into Family Violence tabled its findings with a 1900 page report which includes 227 recommendations. The report includes a ten-page section on ‘Faith Communities’, highlighting the important role faith-based communities and organisations can play in the lives of Victorians affected by family violence.
Religions for Peace Advances Reconciliation and Peacebuilding in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar
On 28-29 March 2016, U Myint Swe, President of RfP Myanmar and Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Deputy Secretary General of RfP International, visited Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar, the scene of major inter-communal violence between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in 2012. Further sporadic outbreaks since then have left scores dead and over 140,000 displaced.
Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation Award by the Archbishop of Canterbury
Yesterday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. Justin Welby, conferred upon Chief Rabbi David Rosen KSG CBE, International Director of interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee [Co-President of RfP], the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation, during a ceremony at Lambeth Palace.
