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.
News
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.
AFL condemns offensive banner unfurled at Collingwood-Richmond game
An anti-Muslim banner displayed during Collingwood’s one-point win over Richmond at the MCG on Friday night has been condemned “in the strongest terms” by the AFL and the Magpies.
Initiatives of Change: Beyond Forgiveness
Initiatives of Change (IofC) is a world-wide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are committed to the transformation of society through changes in human motives and behaviour, starting with their own. Initiatives of Change has a program called Creators of Peace, and a film session “Beyond Forgiving” will be screened in Melbourne.
Royal Commission: Survey regarding access to Support Services
Royal Commission: Survey regarding access to Support Services 
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has commissioned the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to investigate how survivors of child sexual abuse in institutions and their families access support services.
Statement on Pakistan and Iraq Attacks
Religions for Peace is filled with sorrow for the innocent people killed in Pakistan and Iraq. We stand in solidarity with with those who suffer. Secretary General, Dr William F. Vendley gives a message on occasion of the Pakistan and Iraq shootings.
Religions for Peace Easter Message
Religions for Peace Secretary General – William F. Vendley – gives an Easter message for the observances of Easter.
Statement on Brussels Terrorist Attacks
Religions for Peace is filled with sorrow for the innocent people killed in Belgium. We stand in solidarity with Religions for Peace Belgium, which, we hope, will lead the path to peace and harmony. International Secretary William F. Vendley gives a message on occasion of the Brussels shootings.
