In the field of multilateral relations, the major partner of the Catholic Church is the World Council of Churches (WCC). Founded in 1948, it is the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical organization, bringing together 350 Christian denominations including Orthodox, Lutherans, Reformed, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists as well as United and Independent churches. Altogether they represent over 500 million Christians worldwide.
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Vatican document on integral ecology: Safeguarding Creation is everyone’s responsibility
Several Vatican offices teamed up to release a document entitled “Journeying for the care of the common home”, which offers a guide to all Christians on how to maintain a healthy relationship with Creation. This was given on the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato si” (Praise Be) calling on the world to act to stop the human destruction of the planet.
International Day of Yoga – 21 June
International Day of Yoga celebrates the physical activity known as yoga practice in the Western world. Whereas it originated in India to enable flow of energy through meridians in the body – as part of spiritual practice and efficacy – yoga today is principally recognised for the asana poses that that those who go to yoga classes to practice. The theme of International Day of Yoga for 2020 is Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family.
Refugee Week: Between Welcome and Exclusion – Australia and the Politics of Asylum during COVID-19
Refugee week 2020’s theme is “A Year of Welcome”. Join us to explore what this has actually looked like in Australia during a time of crisis.
The Future is Cultural Equity
Multicultural Arts Victoria CEO Veronica Pardo has written in Arts Hub on the importance of a recovery based on cultural equity, as a way of addressing the substantive underrepresentation of people of colour and culturally diverse people in the arts. More than that, however, and equitable, representative and inclusive sector has the power to shift the dial on racism, and how we see ourselves as Australia. This is a powerful call to the arts sector to commit to the fight for racial justice.
Dalai Lama: Only Genuine Compassion Will Do
It’s not sufficient, says the Dalai Lama, to simply think that compassion is important. We must transform our thoughts and behaviour on a daily basis to cultivate compassion without attachment. Before we can generate compassion and love, it is important to have a clear understanding of what we understand compassion and love to be.
Statement on the Role of Churches in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Love, Steadfastness, Hope and Courage
The World Council of Churches executive committee released a public statement on the role of churches in the context of COVID-19. Focused on love, steadfastness, hope and courage, the statement reflects on the damage COVID has wreaked over the last five months—and how churches can offer hope.
“Though in some ways the pandemic has been a great equalizer in its range and global impact, it is also exposing and exacerbating the deep divisions, injustices, economic inequalities and racism in our societies,” the statement reads. “Churches and faith communities are called to accompany the most vulnerable people and communities, as well as to be in solidarity with each other.”
The church is called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, the statement reads. “We pray that churches everywhere will be empowered and equipped to be messengers of unity, trust and truth, against the voices promoting division, suspicion and unsubstantiated rumour.”
Transformational Resilience in Times of Crisis
Initiatives of Change Australia is offering to you and your networks the unique opportunity to join in an online seminar with special guest speaker, Professor Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, from the University of Illinois USA, on World Refugee Day, 20 June at 11am.
Looking after your mental health during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
While it is a time of uncertainty and our lives have changed in a short period of time, it’s important to remember that we can do many things to feel better. Remember that these changes and your effort is helping to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Buddhism in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter
Imagine Siddhartha is a person who has been protected by his loved ones from the reality of racism. He leaves his protected compound, perhaps a community gated specifically to separate itself from undesired people. He enters a place where he sees darker-skinned, unarmed people being shot dead by the police or perhaps by guards who serve to protect his enclosed community. Maybe he encounters darker-skinned people who are sicker and more malnourished than lighter-skinned people. What if Siddhartha saw that?
USCIRF Applauds Executive Order to Advance International Religious Freedom
Washington, DC –The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order on “Advancing International Religious Freedom,” which elevates the U.S. government’s prioritization of religious freedom in its foreign policy; increases foreign assistance funding to $50 million annually; expands mandatory training on international religious freedom to more federal officials; encourages the utilization of economic tools; and more explicitly integrates international religious freedom into U.S. bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
NSW: Meditative Prayer using the songs of Taizé
Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. The NSW Ecumenical Council invites you to join in an online session of Meditative Prayer using the songs of Taizé on evening of Friday, June 12, 2020 at 6 PM – 6:45 PM.
