In a historic encounter at Asia’s largest mosque, Pope Francis and Indonesian grand imam Nasaruddin Umar signed a joint declaration on Sept. 5 calling on religious leaders to deepen their cooperation in order to defend human dignity and fight climate change.
On the Idea of People of Integrity in the Context of Rich Religious Diversity
In an increasingly interconnected world, the significance of integrity among individuals, particularly within diverse religious contexts, cannot be overstated. People of integrity—those who embody qualities such as sincerity, intelligence, and a genuine pursuit of truth—play a crucial role in fostering understanding and harmony amidst religious diversity. This essay using the insights of Professor Robert McKim, will explore the nature of integrity, its manifestation across various religious traditions, and its essential role in promoting dialogue and coexistence.
Modern Slavery – Workplace Justice Visa and Support Programme
The Australian Government has introduced a visa and a support programme – are aimed to assist migrant workers who experience exploitation in Australia. Exploitation takes many forms and has different names too. You may recognise words or phrases such as ‘wage theft’, ‘modern slavery’, ‘forced labour’, or ‘human trafficking’, which also describe exploitation.
Faith communities take a stand against lethal autonomous weapons
The value of human life is priceless, and decisions about life or death cannot be delegated to machines, stated a interfaith-based dialogue on lethal autonomous weapons at the United Nations in Geneva on 27 August.
Pope will visit Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque at start of interfaith Asian trip
When Pope Francis begins his Asia tour next week, one of his early stops will be at Indonesia’s iconic Istiqlal mosque.
The 87-year-old head of the Catholic Church will hold an interfaith meeting with representatives of the country’s six officially recognized religions as the populous Southeast Asian nation faces growing challenges to its tolerant image.
Ecumenical Patriarch shares opening message for Season of Creation
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Archbishop of Constantinople, shared a message on the opening of Season of Creation 2024.
Guided Insight Meditation: The wisdom of the body
The Contemplative Studies Centre of the University of Melbourne will conduct several sessions on Guided Insight Meditation: The wisdom of the body commencing Tuesday 3 September at 1:00pm, running weekly until 24 September. Participation is free.
Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem urge rapid agreement for ceasefire
In a 26 August statement, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem observe that the twelfth month of the devastating war is rapidly approaching, express their grave concerns, and urge an immediate ceasefire.
Nearly half of world’s migrants are Christian, Pew Research shows
While Christians make up about 30% of the world’s population, the world’s migrants are 47% Christian, according to the latest data collected in 2020. The study found that Muslims make up 29% of the migrant population but 25% of the world’s population. Jews, only 0.2% of the world’s population but 1% of migrants, are by far the most likely religious group to have migrated, with 20% of Jews worldwide living outside their country of birth compared to just 6% of Christians and 4% of Muslims. Four percent of migrants are Buddhist, matching the general population, and 5% are Hindu, compared to 15% of the world population.
UN World Day of Peace – Raising Peace with Faith Communities
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria, in collaboration with United Religions Initiative and Religions for Peace Australia (along with other participant organisations) will present an online event in observance of United Nations World Day of Peace. This event is being conducted as part of the Raising Peace Festival, 2024. The theme of this event is Faith leaders sharing their personal practices to maintain equilibrium / inner peace when working in a fractured world for peace. This presentation will be held online, on the afternoon of 15 September 2024 from 4pm. All welcome to attend and participate in this FREE event.
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change: Conference 2024
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) warmly invites you to participate in their second national Conference, from 4-6 October, 2024, Strathfield, NSW.
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change has a unique role in Australia in bringing together diverse people of faith as witnesses to both our common humanity and respect for the earth.
Groups and communities in many different parts of the country have supported ARRCC’s work on Faiths 4 Climate Justice, ethical investment, solidarity with First Nations people and challenging new coal and gas projects.
Action required to achieve global peace
Australia’s Catholic bishops say peace is possible if people commit to speaking the truth and redouble efforts to end war. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has released the Social Justice Statement for 2024-25, titled Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World. Every year, the bishops seek to make a substantive comment on a key social issue and this year the focus is on the promotion of peace and the need for truth in public life.
