Religions for Peace Tasmania in partnership with Brahma Kumaris Australia to honour International Earth Day from 7.30-8.30pm on 22 April 2023. There will be prayers, chanting and meditations to send vibrations of love and peace to support all living beings.
News
Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award
Religions for Peace, the world’s most representative multi-faith organisation, is pleased to announce the inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award! Women of faith are the backbone of all faith communities and religious institutions but are rarely recognised for their efforts. Religions for Peace understands the importance of recognising and amplifying the work of women of faith and women-led initiatives, as they are often overlooked in the fields of peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation. Through this award, Religions for Peace aims to highlight and bring attention to the crucial role that women of faith play in creating lasting change in their communities and beyond.
UN Head calls for world ‘united in peace’ as Ramadan, Easter, Passover coincide
The UN chief has called for people of faith worldwide to “join their voices in a common prayer for peace”, as the holy festivals of Ramadan, Easter and Passover coincide this week.
Vatican formally repudiates ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ used to justify colonization
The Vatican on March 30 formally repudiated the “Doctrine of Discovery,” officially declaring that an historic policy used to justify colonial exploitation is “not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church.”
The rejection of the concept, which has been used to describe a collection of papal teachings dating back to the 15th century, comes after years of pressure from Indigenous groups and some government leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Police called to remove a multi-faith group praying in Sydney National Australia Bank lobby
Police were called to remove a group of people peacefully praying in the lobby of the National Australia Bank’s headquarters in Sydney on Wednesday morning.
People from Muslim, Christian and Buddhist faiths prayed and meditated for an hour calling on the bank stop funding fossil fuel projects, starting by ruling out any further funding of Whitehaven Coal’s climate-wrecking coal expansion plans.
South Australia: Hope’s Cafe – Interfaith Matters
The April session of Hope’s Cafe will take place on Thursday 27th April 2023, focussing on “Exploring Interfaith Matters! Forum values”. Interfaith Matters Forum 5:45pm – 8pm Thursday 27th April 2023 at Hope’s Cafe, 243 The Parade, Beulah Park “Exploring Interfaith Matters! Forum values” – A cooked meal will be served by one of our … Read more
Pope Francis: An ethical AI respects human dignity

Pope Francis said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning could be beneficial to society as long as they respect human dignity.
“The fundamental value that we must recognize and promote is that of the dignity of the human person,” the pope said during a March 27 audience at the Vatican with participants in the Minerva Dialogues.
Organized by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Minerva Dialogues is a meeting of scientists, engineers, business leaders, lawyers, philosophers, Catholic theologians, ethicists, and members of the Roman Curia to discuss digital technologies.
Artificial Intelligence generates fake image of Pope
Use of artificial intelligence to generate photo realistic images of people has come under criticism. Recently, an image of the Pope in a puffer jacket went viral on social media. A fake, AI-generated image of Pope Francis stepping out in a stylish white puffer jacket and bejewelled crucifix racked up millions of views over the weekend – with many mistaking it for a real image.
Restoring India’s holiest river
A long snout lined with sharp teeth slides above the water, followed by a broad back with a triangular fin. Then it is gone.
Spotting Ganga river dolphins in Northern India is tough. The muddy water hides them well and they are shy around boats. But their rarity is mostly down to the massive degradation of their home.
Now, sightings of the endangered dolphins and other wildlife are rebounding, conservationists say, thanks to a concerted effort to restore India’s most sacred river, which is an economic lifeline for more than 500 million people and supports countless species.
Religions for Peace Announces Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award
Religions for Peace, the world’s most representative multi-faith organisation, is pleased to announce the inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award! Women of faith are the backbone of all faith communities and religious institutions but are rarely recognised for their efforts. Religions for Peace understands the importance of recognising and amplifying the work of women of faith and women-led initiatives, as they are often overlooked in the fields of peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation. Through this award, Religions for Peace aims to highlight and bring attention to the crucial role that women of faith play in creating lasting change in their communities and beyond.
Understanding reporting barriers and support needs of people experiencing racism
Victoria University is conducting an anti-racism project called Understanding reporting barriers and support needs of people experiencing racism, in collaboration with Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) and the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV). The project is funded by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth).
Position Open: Quakers Australia Coordinator
Quakers Australia (QA) is revisioning its support structures to assist organisational effectiveness and vitality within the Australian Quaker community. We invite applications for the role of QA Coordinator to support the work of Quakers Australia, the body representing the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia.
Saying Yes to the Voice will herald a better future for us all
Truth-telling is essential. We cannot fall into the racist trap of dismissing authenticated stories of the past as a ‘black armband’ view of history, that pejorative label cynically employed by former prime minister John Howard, writes Sister Patty Fawkner, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
Pope to Buddhists: Religions play crucial role in fostering fraternity
Pope meeting the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism (Taiwan) (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)
Pope Francis received a delegation of the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism of Taiwan and highlights the crucial role of religions in fostering fraternity by promoting a culture of encounter.
Victoria: Prayer and Meditation Service For Peace
The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG) and leaders of Melbourne’s Sikh and Hindu communities have organised a meditation and prayer service at Federation Square from 6-7pm on Monday, 20 March. The service, which will be held in the name of peace, unity and social cohesion, is a direct response to recent conversations between the VMC, MAG and faith leaders following incidents of vandalism at places of worship.
Victoria: ‘Harmony in Music, Harmony in Faith’
The Maroondah Interfaith Network invites you and your friends to ‘Harmony in Music, Harmony in Faith’ 2023 at the Janssen Centre, Woodvale Road Boronia, on Sunday 26 March 2023 at 3pm.
People of faith say ‘no’ to fossil fuels in global Week of Action
During a world-wide Divestment Week of Action initiated by the global Catholic Laudato Si’ Movement, Australian people of faith and their organisations were encouraged to consider divesting from fossil fuels as part of their broader responsibility to care for the earth.
A multi-faith prayer service was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Parramatta on Thursday 9 March, as part of the Week of Action, organised by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC).
Harmony Week 2023
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Several resources are available, and there are a number of interfaith events occurring during Harmony Week.