Pope Francis appoints 66-year-old Spanish Bishop Miguel Ayuso Guixot as the new President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. This appointment fills the Presidential vacancy since the passing of Cardinal Tauran in 2018.
Call for Applications: Interfaith Fellowship Program
As part of the European Union-funded project “Southeast Asia: Advancing Inter-Religious Dialogue and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB)”, The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers is seeking peace action-orientated Interfaith Fellows to advance a growing body of interfaith peacebuilding work in South and Southeast Asia. The project is being implemented in consortium with Finn Church Aid, Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation, World Faiths Development Dialogue, Islamic Relief Worldwide and World Conference of Religions for Peace.
Extremists Won’t Hinder Interfaith Dialogue
Interfaith dialogue is a necessity in our age. In a world suffering from armed conflicts, diplomatic standoffs and trade wars, cooperative and constructive interaction between people of different religious traditions is fundamental to solidifying peace and stability, and stemming racism, xenophobia, radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism.
Global conference on promoting peace cultivates ‘one human family’
At a conference with the theme “Promoting Peace Together” held in Geneva on 21 May, religious leaders focused on two historic documents related to peace-making. The first, “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” was jointly signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi in February. The second, “Education for Peace in a Multi-Religious World: A Christian Perspective,” jointly prepared by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council of Churches (WCC), was officially launched at the conference.
Australian churches confront domestic and family violence
Recognising that a number of churches around the country were working to address domestic and family violence in different ways, the National Council of Churches in Australia organised a round-table on Domestic Violence in Melbourne on 2 May.
‘Christians and Muslims: promoting universal fraternity’
On the occasion of the month of Ramadan – which began this year on 5 May – and for the feast of ‘Id al-Fitr 1440 / H. / 2019 A.D., the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has sent to Muslims throughout the world a message of good wishes entitled “Christians and Muslims: promoting universal fraternity”.
In the US, Muslims are making slow inroads toward a greener Ramadan
Ramadan, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, is meant to be a month of simplicity and spirituality. But at mosques around the USA, garbage bags typically overflow with disposable cups, half-filled water bottles and half-eaten plates of rice and meat.
Religions for Peace Second Advisory Forum in Myanmar Focuses on Religion in Nation-building
(8 May 2019 | Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar) As the increased level of armed conflict in Rakhine State endangers the prospect of peace and further stalls the return of refugees from across the border with repercussions for the nationwide peace process, Religions for Peace (RfP) convened the Second Advisory Forum on National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar. The Religions for Peace Advisory Forum brought together over 200 representatives of religious organizations, Myanmar government and the military, parliament, ethnic organisations, foreign governments, UN agencies, international and national NGOs and civil society groups in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 7-8 May 2019.
Pope Francis orders bishops to report sex abuse, allows direct complaints to Vatican
Pope Francis introduced sweeping changes in Catholic Church law on Thursday local time to hold bishops accountable for sexual abuse or covering it up, making reporting obligatory for clerics and allowing anyone to complain directly to the Vatican if needed.
Three men found guilty of terrorism for torching Shia mosque in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner
A Melbourne jury has found three men guilty of terrorism charges over the torching of a Shia mosque in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner in December 2016. The Supreme Court found Ahmed Mohamed, 26, Abdullah Chaarani, 28, and Hatim Moukhaiber, 30, guilty of the burning down of the Imam Ali Islamic Centre in December 2016, causing $1.5 million in damage.
Ramadan Message from the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Australia has sent a message to the Muslim community on occasion of Ramadan.
Tasmania: May 2019
Greetings of peace! The world has watched in horror over the last few weeks as, one after another, places of worship have been violated by terrorists during times of worship, two of them targeted on specially holy days. We have all mourned together and held each other in prayers and in light and supported each other with love and compassion, so that through the tragedies, closeness and understanding may be fostered. For our gathering this month we will join with Tom Teniswood and Byakko Shinko Kai in the Symphony of Peace Prayers.
