Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky will speak on “Dancing between Civilisations: an eyewitness report from an outsider looking in “ at the Beit Shalom Synagogue, Hackney, on the evening of July 27, from 6pm.
Pope names three women to Vatican office overseeing bishop nominations
Pope Francis has named three women who will serve as members of the Vatican office that vets bishop nominations, in another first for women to have a say in Catholic Church governance.
Racism: It Stops with ME
Racism. It Stops With Me is a national campaign that provides tools and resources to help people and organisations learn about racism and take action to create change.
Celebrating the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet and one of the most beloved and recognized leaders of our time, turned 87 on Wednesday.
His Holiness is the fourteenth person to be recognized as a Dalai Lama, believed to be a manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. The self-proclaimed “simple monk” has dedicated his life to that spirit of compassion, and in turn has made a worldwide impact with his service as a statesman, spiritual teacher, and theologian. In this article we look at his life as inspiration for our own. These days, we need the Dalai Lama’s wisdom more than ever.
This teaching by the Dalai Lama explains how the Buddhist teachings of mindfulness and compassion lead inevitably to feelings of self-confidence and kindness.
Reuters: Interview with Pope Francis
In a 90-minute interview Pope Francis spoke on many topics including his health, abortion and travel plans.
The 85-year-old pontiff said resignation “never entered my mind” but may if his health failed him in the future.
He repeated his condemnation of abortion, following the US Supreme Court decision, comparing it to “hiring a hit man”.
SBS article about the Census and Religion in Australia
According to the SBS, Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service, the 2021 Census confirmed Australia is trending away from religion, with those considered “non-religious” set to overtake Christianity in the coming years.
Saudi Arabia again leads interfaith understanding — this time on its own soil
(RNS) — Until recently the recognition of any religion other than Islam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was rare, and anyone practicing another faith was “vulnerable to detention, harassment and, for noncitizens, deportation,” according to the U.S. Office of International Religious Freedom.
Josie Lacey honoured in NSW State Parliament
Convenor of the NSW Branch of Religions for Peace, Josie Lacey AM, has been honoured in the NSW parliament for her service to the community and to interfaith activities. NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord has hosted a special event at State Parliament where he addressed the parliament paying tribute to Jewish communal leader Josie Lacey.
2022 Backhouse Lecture – Quakers Australia
The Backhouse Lectures are public lectures on contemporary issues delivered annually at the national gathering of Quakers in Australia. They were initiated by Australia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) on its establishment in 1964. Friends from both Australia and overseas have presented lectures. The 2022 Backhouse Lecture, Working for Justice in a Warming World, will be presented by Yarrow Goodley on Monday 5 July at 7.15pm via Zoom.
Bravo! Des Cahill
Des Cahill has been Chair, Religions for Peace Australia, since 2001. At the recent 9th Asian Conference of Religions for Peace General Assembly, Des Cahill was elected Moderator of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace, unanimously, by the 22 member nations present. In this article, Maria Minto Cahill – wife of 44 years – gives an account of the history of Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill and Religions for Peace Australia.
Online Course: The Philosophy of Gandhi
As part of the commemoration of 75 years of India’s independence an online course on the philosophy and teachings of Mahatama Gandhi will be offered during July. Places are limited, those interested should apply soon. The participants will be awarded certificates digitally signed by High Commission of India and Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna
Pax Christi: Righting our Relations with the ‘Blue Pacific Continent’
You are invited to Pax Christi’s July Agape on Sunday July 3rd at 1pm (for a shared lunch) and presentation on Righting our Relations with the ‘Blue Pacific Continent’ – Australia’s neighbouring island nations in the Pacific.
NSW: Interfaith Symposium – Faith, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience
Affinity Intercultural Foundation and Macquarie University recently conducted an interfaith symposium “Faith, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience” addressing issues around faith communities and the experience of Covid-19. Moderator of the Asian Conference on Religions for Peace (and President, Religions for Peace Australia) Emeritus Professor Des Cahill gave one address to the symposium on the topic of COVID-19: Impact, Responses, Learnings and Ongoing Challenges for the World’s Faith Communities in Australia.
NSW: New offences to ban public display of Nazi symbols
The NSW Government has introduced a bill into Parliament today to ban the public displays of Nazi symbols and to provide further safeguards against hate speech and vilification.
Buddhist and Catholic, priests and theologians practice ‘double belonging’
(RNS) — In a dimly lit Roman Catholic church in Manhattan, a dozen or so congregants sit as the Rev. Michael Holleran leads them in contemplative prayer. There is some singing, and some prayers said aloud throughout the hour-and-a-half-long worship service. Every so often Holleran rings a bell three times, meant to awaken worshippers from “sleep and into a consciousness of God’s presence.”
Buddhist leader in Bhutan fully ordains 144 women, resuming ancient tradition
(RNS) — On Tuesday (June 21), the Je Khenpo, the senior Buddhist authority in Bhutan, began ordaining a group of 144 women as bhikshunis, or female monks, at the Ramthangkha monastery in the tiny Himalayan country. Damcho Diana Finnegan, an American Tibetan Buddhist nun, called the ordination ceremony ‘a major step towards ending the institutionalized inequality between men and women in Tibetan Buddhism.’
Faith leaders join forces to condemn alleged mosque attack in Victoria
Politicians, community and faith leaders from across Victoria have come together at a mosque east of Melbourne to show their support after the prayer hall was allegedly vandalised. Charges have been laid against eight suspects after the property was damaged last weekend.
Preventing and Responding to Family Violence: A Faith Leader’s Practice Guide and Toolkit
Sisters4Sisters Support Services – with support from the Women’s Information and Referral Exchange and other family violence specialist organisations, including consultation with members from Victoria’s diverse faith communities, have produced Preventing and Responding to Family Violence: A Faith Leader’s Practice Guide and Toolkit, a broad and wide-ranging guide for Faith Leaders in responding to family violence. Specialist input was given by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), affiliate researchers, and strategies from specialist CALD and LGBTQIA+ family violence organisations. The guide is available for download.