Pope Benedict was feted by leaders of other religions as a kind and gentle person. His intellect guided the Catholic Church’s orthodoxy and belief during his 25 years as the head of the Vatican congregation that steers the faith of its worldwide churches. Here, we look to the interfaith legacy of Pope Benedict, who was – indirectly – a cause of World Interfaith Harmony Week coming into being.
News
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dead at 95
Former Pope Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign, has died aged 95 in a secluded monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since stepping down, a spokesman for the Holy See has announced.
Religions for Peace Australia: Year in Review
Year 2022 saw relaxation of the pandemic restrictions, and the emergence of conflict in Ukraine. There was a strong response from religious leaders in Australia. Living the Change, taking care of the environment and sharing faith community responses to domestic violence were activities that Religions for Peace Australia took up during Year 2022.
Rituals: Crucial Across History, Essential for Humans Today
Each December, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, among others, take over our thoughts and our wallets as we participate in ceremonies our ancestors have practised for as long as we can remember. These are all example of traditions. And in most cases, traditions are accompanied by rituals.
Pope Francis tells Emeritus Pope Benedict is very sick.
Pope Francis has said his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI is “very sick” and asked the faithful to pray for the retired pontiff so God will comfort him “to the very end”. Francis did not elaborate on Benedict’s condition as he made the surprise appeal at the end of his general audience on Wednesday 28 December.
Muppet Religion
Why do the Muppets work so well in an adaptation of A Christmas Carol? Victorian literature scholar Joshua Taft writes that Dickens’ A Christmas Carol combines “humanistic Christianity” with “a variety of secular enchantment.” Enchantment — or re-enchantment — is a crucial part of the Muppets’ appeal.
Christian Pilgrims Celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem
Jerusalem — The streets of Bethlehem are crowded for Christmas again, after two years of COVID-related restrictions. In the Church of the Nativity, the faithful celebrated Jesus’s birth as the number of Palestinian Christians continues to dwindle.
Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis call for end to war in Ukraine
The archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Francis have used their Christmas addresses to call for an end to the war in Ukraine.
World Council of Churches: The Message of Christmas
“The joyful message of the first Christmas states that the love of God in Christ is meant indeed for all people, for the whole of creation,” reads the message. “Our time is a time of fear.”
Some fear the climate emergency, the message acknowledges. “Many are afraid today that they will no longer be able to feed their children tomorrow,” the message laments. “Others are afraid that military conflicts may cause nuclear disasters.”
“The angels of the first Christmas called the shepherds to have faith in the divine promise of peace on earth and God’s goodwill towards humanity,”
True love never coerces: a meditation for Christmas 2022
Imagine if we did not need to pray for those who die today, violently and unprepared. Imagine if the United Nations members convened in deep silence and resolved to rid the planet of all weapons of mass destruction and to prevent catastrophic climate change. Imagine if the cruelty being inflicted on the people of Ukraine, mid winter, was to cease and young people of both nations partnered in rebuilding all that had been destroyed …
Join with me, for a time, and imagine, imagine, imagine, writes Bishop Philip Huggins.
Over 1,000 faith leaders call for Christmas cease-fire in Ukraine
(RNS) — Over 1,000 U.S. faith leaders are calling for a Christmas cease-fire in Ukraine 10 months after Russia invaded its neighbor. The leaders, who represent a broad range of faiths, said they hoped a temporary truce could lead to the negotiation of permanent peace. The signers are advocating for a cease-fire to happen from Dec. 24 through Jan. 19, which is the 12th day of Christmas in the Orthodox calendar.
Facing the Threat of the Global Climate Crisis Together
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network (APWoFN) held its first of three climate change webinars on Tuesday 29th November. It was a frank and powerful analysis of current regional experiences of escalating climate change. This paper is drawn from its many valuable contributions . This paper is the presentation by Chair of Religions for Peace Australia, Ms Philippa Rowland to the China Committee on Religion and Peace 3rd International Seminar on Religions and Ecological Civilization, Beijing, 21 December 2022.
Climate change is upon us. The daunting reality is we are living through the predicted increased frequency and intensity of extreme events, as shown by growing regional evidence and experience of unprecedented wildfires, floods, cyclones, melting glaciers, volatile temperatures and rising sea levels.
