Bishop Philip Huggins attends an international multifaith retreat at the Brahma Kumaris Global Retreat Centre, in Nuneham, England. Here, Bishop Huggins recalls several individual actions that contribute to a global response to the climate, human flourishing and interfaith collaboration for the welfare of our home, Earth.
Indigenous
Closure of the School of Indigenous Studies, University of Divinity
Religions for Peace Australia has supported the First Nations entry into theological education at the School of Indigenous Studies – University of Divinity, and has an ongoing commitment to the place of First Nations in the multifaith future and endeavours of our nation. It is with regret that Religions for Peace Australia notes that the University of Divinity has announced the closure of the School of Indigenous Studies.
Listening to Country: An Indigenous Theology and Spirituality series
There is much wisdom, knowledge, and direction for living to be discovered in listening to country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in these lands now called Australia know this and seek to live deeply connected to country and to share that knowing with others. In Session 2, Professor Dr Anne Pattel-Gray will present Aboriginal Spirituality and Connection to Country on Sunday 11 August 2024, 2 – 4 pm.
Yes proponents analyse defeat of Voice referendum
A failure of process, a shift in the nation’s temper, a lack of reliable information and the city-regions divide were among factors contributing to the defeat of the Voice to Parliament referendum, leading Yes proponents said at the launch of two new books at the Australian Catholic University on 2 July.
NAIDOC Week 2024
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2024 Theme: ‘KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD’. This year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of indigenous communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced. Religions for Peace Australia has a commitment to First Nations and actively supports First Nations spirituality and Law as it is honoured and kept by those inheritors of the Dreamtime and their Ancestors.
‘If the land is sick, so are we’: Australian First Nations spirituality explained
As an national interfaith and multifaith body with links to other nations, Religions for Peace gives acknowledgement and respect to all religions and spiritualities. In particular, we do not speak about Indigenous spirituality, rather, we allow indigenous peoples to share their law, their practice, their spiritual beliefs. We are coming to know that their presence in this land is older than 60,000 years – so these beliefs handed down in oral tradition are older than the Abrahamic religions. Here, this article by Joshua Waters, Senior Research Fellow, Indigenous Knowledges, Deakin University shares beliefs about the wellness of the land and the wellness of those who inhabit it.
Victoria: Anglican Church and First Nations Matters
The Anglican Province of Victoria will commence a new Indigenous ministry and reconciliation initiative to strengthen the participation and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Anglican Church. The project will be led by Wiradjuri elder and Anglican priest, the Reverend Canon Glenn Loughrey.
The Voice: Where to from here?
Christians for an Ethical Society (CES) in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C), are hosting this very special forum with one of Australia’s leading indigenous theologians, Professor Anne Pattel-Gray. Prof Anne Pattel-Gray will discuss the Referendum held last year and the hope that Aboriginal theology provides for the future on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
Conference Report: Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice – An Indigenous Theological Revolution
This report focuses on a groundbreaking four-day conference held under the auspices of the School of Indigenous Studies established in 2022 by the University of Divinity. Conference Report: Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice was a four-day conference held 5-8 February 2024, at St Paschal’s College, Box Hill, Victoria. This report is provided by Emeritus Professor Des Cahill, President – Religions for Peace Australia, Moderator – Asian Conference of Religions for Peace.
From esotericism to embodied ritual: Care for Country as religious experience
In an academic paper, it is shared that Aboriginal spiritual psychology begins from an appreciation of intentional and practical connection with the living systems of Country and kin. They draw on cases from Dadirri and other stories to describe Aboriginal contemplative practices as being conscious of our mutual vulnerability with the living cosmos.
Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution
The University of Divinity will join The School of Indigenous Studies to host a 4-day conference in February 2024 – Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution.
Online prayer and reflection service to be held before Voice vote
An online prayer and reflection service will be held tomorrow, ahead of Saturday’s referendum on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Source: NATSICC.
