Apology, 800 years on, for laws that expelled Jews from England

Chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

The Church of England is to apologise for its “shameful actions” in passing anti-Jewish laws 800 years ago that paved the way for the expulsion of Jews from England.

A special service at Christ Church cathedral in Oxford on Sunday, marking the 800th anniversary of the Synod of Oxford, will be attended by Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi, with representatives of the archbishop of Canterbury and a Roman Catholic bishop.

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Noosa Temple of Satan education challenge dismissed by judge as ‘jumble of confected nonsense’

 Noosa Temple of Satan

A Supreme Court judge has dismissed a group of Satanists’ bid to teach religious classes in some Queensland schools, describing the case as a “deplorable waste of state resources” and a political stunt.

Justice Martin Burns also directed group founder Robin Bristow to appear before him in two weeks to prove why he should not be prosecuted over his testimony.

Mr Bristow’s attempt to meet legal criteria of a religious organisation resulted in a “jumble of confected nonsense”, Justice Burns found.

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Multi-Religious Efforts to Address the Root Causes of Forced Displacement and to Assist Refugees, Stateless and Internally Displaced People

Multi-Religious Efforts to Address the Root Causes of Forced Displacement and to Assist Refugees, Stateless and Internally Displaced People

Join Religions for Peace, UNHCR and PHAP for an online roundtable discussion on Monday, 9 May 2022 8:00am ET (local time here) to hear more about how the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders (MRCL) works to promote protection and solutions for refugees, stateless, and internally displaced people.

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Holy Sparks: Celebrating 50 Years of Women in the Rabbinate

Holy Sparks: Celebrating 50 Years of Women in the Rabbinate


On June 3, 1972, Jewish and American history were made when Rabbi Sally Priesand was ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion as the first woman rabbi in America. A pioneer who opened the way for generations across all denominations and around the globe, Rabbi Priesand set in motion the first steps toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and empowerment of new cohorts of leaders for the Jewish people over the past 50 years.

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Push to liberate religious swasti in NSW from its ‘indoor prison’

Unlike the symbol on the Nazi flag, the Hindu swasti  commonly features four dots.
Unlike the symbol on the Nazi flag, the Hindu swasti commonly features four dots.

Surinder Jain has a dream: to normalise the swasti in Australia.

Not the hate symbol that featured on the Nazi flag and is still waved by far-right racists today. Jain is referring to the ancient icon that plays a central role in the religious practice of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

Surinder Jain, national vice president of the Hindu Council of Australia, has joined forces with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark to promote awareness of the sacred swasti.

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Swaminarayan Mandir at the Sydney Opera House

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj

In a city-first, BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir has hosted a cultural parade and assembly in front of Sydney’s two most iconic monuments.

The socio-spiritual Hindu organisation marked the beginning of the centenary celebration of its fifth spiritual leader, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, on Saturday 23 April 2022. This event took place on the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House with breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in backdrop.

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Statement from Australian faith leaders on Temporary Protection Visa Holders

Statement from Australian faith leaders on Temporary Protection Visa HoldersFaith leaders from many religions have signed a statement urging the government – or the incoming government to put an end to Temporary Protection Visas and give settlement and security to those who have been held in durance vile in Australia for many years. Such is against the regard of the dignity and personhood of those incarcerated in the teachings of many religions. A list of signatories is given.

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