Messages from our churches speak to our Australian and world context in this year’s Easter Sunday celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection or rising from the dead after being crucified or put to death on the day called Good Friday. This year, the Western Churches will celebrate Easter on Sunday 17 April and the Orthodox and Oriental Churches will celebrate Easter on Sunday 22 April. Easter marks the foundation of Christianity.
News
Q&A with a Young Jewish Community Leader in Ukraine
As many Ukrainian Jews know this year, Passover will be different in 2022. We sat down with Ukrainian Jewish community leader Andy (he/him), 27, to discuss what the community and holiday will look like in the context of current events. Andy is currently working as a regional manager for a biobanking company and recently graduated from medical school. As a former Hillel leader and current resident of a Moishe House in central Kyiv, he is intimately connected to the Jewish community of Kyiv. Throughout the war, he has safely hosted events for young Jews in his shared apartment, such as Shabbat meals and programs to preserve a sense of community and act as a support-system during this very difficult time.
World Council of Churches: Stand up for rights and dignity of every human being
Bringing together biblical, theological and practical perspectives on human dignity, participants of the international conference in Wuppertal challenged churches for a common understanding and protection of human rights during the public panel discussion on 11 April.
Religious Australians are pushing for climate action, and want church leaders and politicians to get on board
Most religions believe the universe and everything in it is a creation of God or gods, and most demand that we nurture God’s creation. So for many religious people in Australia today — particularly among younger generations — it makes sense for religious leaders to encourage care for the environment.
Darwin Muslims welcome traditional return of Ramadan after years of COVID restrictions
The holy month of Ramadan began last weekend across the world. During the month Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. The Darwin Mosque hosts around 400 Muslims every night.
Vatican Message for the Month of Ramadan and Eid-al-fitr
The Vatican’s portfolio responsible for Interfaith activity and relations with other religions – the Pontifical Council for Interreligous Dialogue – has given a message to the Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan and its succeding festival of Eid-al-fitr.
Putin’s War and the Fracturing of Faith in Ukraine
Religion News Service recently hosted a conversation about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on religion and geopolitics. Sponsored by Interfaith Youth Core – a conversation about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on religion and geopolitics.
Saudi Arabia expands Hajj to 1 mln pilgrims, easing COVID curbs
April 9 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia will let up to 1 million people join the Haj pilgrimage this year, greatly expanding the key event to participants from outside the kingdom after two years of tight COVID restrictions, state media said on Saturday.
Victoria: 2022 Yom HaShoah Commemoration
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria will be hosting an inclusive virtual community commemoration for Yom Hashoah on Wednesday, April 27 at 7.30 pm. The event will be an online commemoration with poignant testimonies, the participation of a range of Jewish students, and messages of support from communal members, leaders, and affiliates.
Tango Shalom
Religions for Peace International are pleased to invite you to a screening of Tango Shalom and a Q&A with the filmmakers and cast. Proceeds from this event will go directly to the Religions for Peace Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund.
Russian War causes food crisis during Ramadan
The Russian war on Ukraine has cast a pall over Ramadan with skyrocketing food prices in the Middle East. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan – when the faithful fast from dawn to dusk – began at sunrise on Saturday in much of the Middle East, where Russia’s invasion of Ukrane has sent energy and food prices soaring. The conflict cast a pall over Ramadan, when large gatherings over meals and family celebrations are a tradition.
Prime Minister’s Message for Ramadan, 2022
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, gives a message to the Islamic communities of Australia on occasion of Ramadan 2022.
Climate anxiety and the impact of a burning planet
The Contemplative Studies Centre at Melbourne University will conduct a webinar on the topic of Climate anxiety and the impact of a burning planet, online, on Monday, April 11 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Paganism: myths, magic, and nature conservation
Contemporary Paganism is one of the few spiritual movements attracting a growing number of followers, particularly young people, each year. For some, Paganism is about connecting with and protecting their environment, for others it’s about regaining control of their world. On God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore contemporary Paganism; from myth busting and magic, to advocacy and climate change.
Faith Communities and Killer Robots: A Guide
The World Council of Churches has issued an action guide for faith communities to respond to Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (killer robots and drones). This guide is informative for all people of faith and seek peaceful co-existence sans fear.
A question to ask ourselves this Ramadan: Is my concept of God ethical?
Belief in God is, naturally, the major and most consequential component in all theistic belief systems — including their sense of ethics. While theologians and lay people alike have expended considerable time and effort trying to understand the nature of God, one question that has, regrettably, often been overlooked or neglected is what kind of God is ethically worth believing in.
The Value of Understanding the Role of Value Systems in Violent Conflicts
The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich recently released a new report examining the role of value systems—both religious and secular—in conflict and peacebuilding. The report argues that the importance of value systems should be right-sized, rather than over-emphasized or under-emphasized, in relation to the more tangible drivers of violent conflict.
Message for Ramadan 2022
The Hon Alex Hawke MP Minister For Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services And Multicultural Affairs has written a message on occasion of Ramadan, 2022.