The Church – and interested participants from other religions – have been discussing the ethics of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and the race of science and technology to reach new frontiers of nanotechnology. Here, Pope Francis addresses participants in a workshop hosted by the Pontifical Academy for Life on the relationship between the person, emerging technologies and the common good, and reiterates that progress of science and technology must always be at the service of human dignity and integral human development.
News
NSW: Zero tolerance regarding safety and security at religious institutions
A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $10 million over four years to boost safety and security for faith communities.
500 churches and religious sites destroyed in Ukraine during the war
At least 494 religious buildings in Ukraine have been destroyed, damaged, or looted as a result of the Russian invasion—and seizure of religious buildings for use as Russian military bases increases the scale of destruction of religious sites in Ukraine, reports the Institute for Religious Freedom.
Pax Christi: Statement on the First Anniversary of the War in Ukraine
One year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pax Christi International expresses our deep concern for countless victims of a war that has led to death, injury, displacement, trauma, and ecological harm. This war has generated almost 6 million internally displaced persons and 8 million refugees; killed more than 7,200 civilians including over 400 children and hundreds of thousands of soldiers; and caused generational trauma.
Voice to Parliament: Faith Leaders’ Open Letter
This morning, Leader’s of Australia’s major religious and ethno-religious organisations have called upon all Federal parliamentarians to support a First Nations’ voice to parliament, called for through the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Victoria: Statements from the Soul Panel Discussion
Statements from the Soul is a new book comprised of a collection of essays from diverse religious leaders and thinkers advocating the moral case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and for a First Nations voice to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. Moderated by prominent journalist Patricia Karvelas, presenter of ABC’s RN Breakfast, Statements from the Soul panel discussion will feature some of the contributors on why a First Nations voice to parliament is necessary not only legally and politically, but also morally. Tuesday 21 February 2023 at 6:15pm at The Craig Auditorium, Trinity College, Melbourne
South Australia: Interfaith Seder
The Beth Shalom Synagogue of Adelaide will hold an Interfaith Seder on Sunday, 26 March, 2023 from 6pm. At this participatory Passover celebration, the hosts will retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt, through ceremony, with ritual foods.
South Australia: Hope’s Cafe: ~ “Letting Go”
The February session of Hope’s Cafe will take place on Friday evening: 28 February 2023, focussing on ‘Letting Go‘ – with any faith tradition.
Help Religions for Peace Provide Relief in Türkiye and Syria!
United in the dignity of our diversity, the members of the Religions for Peace global movement express our sincere condolences for the thousands of lives lost in the massive earthquakes in the Republic of Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Republic and send our prayers and love to all those who are suffering from this natural disaster.
NSW: Buddhist Studies March Seminar
The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will be a hybrid event, both Face-to-Face and Zoom on Thursday 9 March at 6:30pm (CAEST). The topic will be Buddhist theory of conditional genesis and social healing approach towards post conflict reconciliation.
NSW: Climate Change Conversation – Climate Migration
How Will Climate Migration Reshape Our World? Find out in a Climate Change Conversations at the University of NSW on Thursday 9 March, 6:30 pm at the Kensington Campus UNSW Roundhouse.
The UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law and Adelaide Writers’ Week invite you to join in a conversation about climate change, its impacts on human displacement and solutions.
The UN Secretary-General has warned that the climate crisis is on track to prompt ‘a mass exodus of entire populations on a biblical scale’.
Bringing Our Multifaith Neighbours Together for Reconciliation: The Voice
The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne invites you to attend a special World Interfaith Harmony Week event in the Melbourne Town Hall, 90 -140 Swanston Street, Melbourne, to hear clear information about a Voice to Parliament from First Nations People and from religious and community leaders who are working for Reconciliation on Sunday 26 February, 2023, 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm.
Opening the Parliamentary Year: Deep Listening
Each time a new parliamentary sitting commences, one of the churches of Canberra hosts a service of worship, to which come the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, their parliamentary colleagues, and others connected with the workings of the Parliament. This year, at the start of the parliamentary year, the preacher was the Rev. Dr Sarah Bachelard, who is the Director of the Benedictus Community, which meets in Canberra and online.
Australian Human Rights Act Position Paper Launch
The Australian Human Rights Commission is set to release its Position Paper on a Human Rights Act for Australia on Tuesday 7 March, at a launch event in Sydney. The Free and Equal Position Paper details our proposed model for a Human Rights Act, building on and complementing the advocacy of many across the nation. This will be a hybrid event with attendance and live-streaming on Tuesday 7th March 2023, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm.
Dialogue, mutual understanding and inclusion
The following is a translation of Pope Francis’ video message broadcast on Saturday, 4 February, the Fourth International Day of Human Fraternity, at the 2023 Zayed Award ceremony in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
2023 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity
February 4th marks the International Day of Human Fraternity, and the day of the ceremony for the awarding of the 2023 Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity, awarded this year to the Community of Sant’Egidio and the Kenyan peacemaker, Mama Shamsa.
Victoria: Safety and Sanctity of Places of Worship
Leaders of a Port Melbourne church and a temple that was defaced in a series of attacks against Hindu places of worship, have shared ideas about religious freedom and safety during a joint sermon.
International Day of Human Fraternity
On the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity, observed on Saturday 4 February 2023, the United Nations Secretary-General called for renewed commitment to forge an “alliance of peace” amid a surge in hate speech, sectarianism and strife. The International Day of Human Fraternity celebrates the values that “are the glue that hold our human family together” – compassion, religious understanding, and mutual respect, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
