VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians have a moral obligation to show God’s care for all those who are marginalized, especially migrants and refugees, Pope Francis said. “This loving care for the less privileged is presented as a characteristic trait of the God of Israel and is likewise required, as a moral duty, of all those who would belong to his people,” the pope said in his homily Sept. 29 during an outdoor Mass for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
NSW: Buddhist Sangha Forum
The Australian Sangha Association in collaboration with the Buddhist Council of New South Wales will conduct a forum on Buddhist issues at the Buddhist Library, 90-92 Church Street, Camperdown on 18 October 2019 at 1:30pm.
UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
Amidst a global call by Secretary-General António Guterres to “reaffirm the sanctity” of religious sites and keep worshippers safe, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on 12 September 2019 launched a new plan of action to “counter hate and violence around the globe”. The plan outlines a wide array of recommendations, such as for the UN to develop a global communications campaign to foster mutual respect and understanding; for States to create multi-disciplinary national plans anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to prevent violent extremism; and for religious leaders to regularly engage in interfaith dialogue.
NSW: Interfaith Service in support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The NSW Ecumenical Council cordially invites you to an Interfaith Service for Refugees and Asylum Seekers at the Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney, on 10 October 2019 from 4:30pm
Op Ed: It’s time to replace Religious Instruction with Worldviews Education in Australian schools
The religion in schools debate is heating up again — this time with a group, Queensland Parents for Secular State Schools, calling for a parliamentary review of Religious Instruction (RI) in state schools.
Faiths for Forests campaign gains traction at UN Climate Action Summit
UNITED NATIONS (Sept. 23, 2019) — Mobilizing communities through faith, ethics and values can help achieve the scale and speed of change needed to halt tropical deforestation, a senior U.N. envoy said at a recent gathering of more than 900 religious leaders in Germany.
UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
Amidst a global call by Secretary-General António Guterres to “reaffirm the sanctity” of religious sites and keep worshippers safe, the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) on 12 September 2019 launched a new plan of action to “counter hate and violence around the globe”. The plan outlines a wide array of recommendations, such as for the UN to develop a global communications campaign to foster mutual respect and understanding; for States to create multi-disciplinary national plans anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to prevent violent extremism; and for religious leaders to regularly engage in interfaith dialogue.
Worshipping safely: UN, faith communities unite to prevent violence
In an era in which places of worship have become, too often, targets for violence, United Nations officials and religious leaders gathered in New York City on 19 September to talk over plans for preventing attacks against people of faith.
Australia: Living the Change
Hundreds of people of faith have gathered in capital cities around the nation this month, attending workshops to discover how to lower their carbon footprint and live more sustainably. The workshops, run by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), are entitled ‘Living the Change’.
Living the Change on International Day of Peace in Hobart
The Faith Communities of Tasmania – along with supporters of climate change came together at University of Tasmania on World Peace Day to celebrate Living the Change, and to commit to living with changes to their carbon footprints!
Living the Change on International Day of Peace in Adelaide
60 people from a dozen faith traditions gathered to celebrate at an event jointly hosted by the Multifaith Association of South Australia and the Baha’i Centre of Learning. Our aim was to cultivate peace within ourselves and our wider community; to pay respect and learn from our First Nation communities; and to act swiftly on climate change by ‘Living the Change’.
As Climate Summit begins, churches call for action now!
As states gather at the United Nations for the Climate Action Summit, taking place on 23 September, the ACT Alliance, Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches, which together represent 580 million Christians globally, are strengthening their collective call for climate justice and immediate action.
