The Morrison government has made 11 changes to its proposed religious freedom legislation in a bid to minimise dissent and secure its passage through Parliament early next year. But the changes largely heed the concerns of churches and religious groups and have been panned by the Greens and LGBTIQ groups as increasing the potential for discrimination.
Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change for COP 25 Madrid, 2019
The most recent Climate Change Conference – called COP 25 – concluded yesterday in Madrid, Spain. Faith Communities, including the Brahma Kumaris and Religions for Peace International (both of whom have offices in the UN plaza in New York) (with a large delegation from the Lutheran World Federation) joined together with many faiths, many voices to produce a Faith-inspired declaration on Climate Change. This was delivered to the Deputy Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the World Council of Churches – in service and on behalf of all faith communities. The document is called Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change for COP 25 Madrid, 2019 . You may read this document in full:
Australia: 2019 Human Rights Day Oration
The Hon Peter McClellan AM QC delivered the 2019 Human Rights Day Oration. His co-orator was Ms Chrissie Foster, mother of two girls who experienced child sexual abuse. “I cannot comprehend how any person, much less one with qualifications in theology and very often further qualifications from recognised universities, could consider the rape of a child to be a moral failure but not a crime,” The Hon Peter McClellan said.
Religious leaders keep vision of peace alive on Korean Peninsula
Even as international tension mounts, religious leaders from North and South Korea renewed their exchange during a December meeting that kept the push for peace alive. Members of the Steering Committee of the Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula – including delegations from the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) of North Korea and of the National Council of Churches in South Korea (NCCK) – met in Shenyang, China, on 2-3 December 2019.
Interfaith group delivers message to COP25
If we should be true to our faith, we cannot be quiet when we see what is happening,” reads the declaration of the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to the United Nations climate change summit COP25 taking place in Madrid, Spain, 2-13 December. “We are voices that are driven by hope and compassion. In a most urgent situation to bend the emissions down faith traditions must contribute to the urgent transformation.”
Rome: Call for urgent action to tackle and overcome climate change
Brussels, December 10, 2019 (COMECE / CIDSE). Catholic Church leaders from across all continents, who gathered recently at the Vatican for the Synod of Bishops on Amazonia, have issued a call from the Synod for urgent action to tackle and overcome climate change.
Citizenship Bill in India threatens status of Muslims
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is deeply troubled by the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), originally introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah, in the Lok Sabha – the lower house of the Indian Parliament. The bill has the potential to remove citizenship from Muslims on religious grounds.
Citizenship Amendment Bill: India’s new ‘anti-Muslim’ law causes uproar
India’s government has tabled a bill in parliament which offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries. The controversial bill seeks to provide citizenship to religious minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 16
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. Violence against women and racism have powerful impacts on the mental health of those who are on the receiving end. Next time you see someone being harassed because of their gender or race, say … Read more
Pope ends Japan trip that stressed opposition to nuclear weapons
Pope Francis wrapped up an often sombre trip to Japan on Tuesday that focused on the nuclear industry and his long-held opposition to atomic weapons. Before leaving Tokyo, Francis celebrated morning Mass in the chapel of the Jesuit-run Sophia University and visited retired and sick priests before delivering a speech on Jesuit education in the final event of his week-long visit to Asia.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 15
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. Violence against women cannot be treated as ‘normal’, maintaining a culture of machismo blind to the leading role that women play in our communities. It is not right to look the other way and … Read more
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 14
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. “From ancient times, the feminine aspect of the Divine has been worshipped in various ways. The Veda declares that where women are honoured and esteemed, there divinity is present with all its potency. Unfortunately … Read more
