The 7th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, entitled “2021: A Defining Year for Accelerating Gender Equality, Equity and Justice” will be held virtually 8:00 -12:30 pm EST/New York on, Tuesday 26th January 2021.
WCC Faith and Order Commission publishes two volumes on moral discernment
Current tensions within and between churches are often the result of disagreements over moral issues. Churches thus face challenges to preserve unity and meet obstacles to restore unity. Seeing the urgency of the matter, the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Faith and Order Commission took up the task to assist the churches in finding a way to deepen mutual understanding leading to dialogue. Its study group on moral discernment presents two publications.
Halki Summit IV – COVID-19 and Climate Change: Living with and Learning from a Pandemic
Halki Summit IV, this year in the format of a series of webinars, will explore the theme “COVID-19 and Climate Change: Living With and Learning from a Pandemic.”
The series, which will be presented 26-28 January, will feature a presentation by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergamon, along with theologians, scientists, and environmentalists who will serve as panelists and respond to live questions from the audience.
The summit is named for the island of Halki, or Heybeliada, on which the first such gathering was originally convened. The summit assembles focused groups from diverse religious and social, as well as civil and corporate sectors, including eminent theologians and speakers from across the ecumenical spectrum.
Online celebration – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
World Council of Churches (WCC) interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca is inviting the global ecumenical family and friends to join the WCC for a livestreamed public prayer service on 25 January, the final day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Pope changes law so women are allowed to perform tasks in mass
Pope Francis has changed Catholic church law to officially allow lay women to perform tasks during mass, but stressed the move was not a precursor to them becoming priests.
Sikh volunteer group recognised as ‘Australian Human Rights Heroes 2020’
The Melbourne-based non-profit organisation, Sikh Volunteers Australia has been handpicked as one of the Australian Human Rights Heroes for the year 2020 for providing free food to the communities during catastrophic bushfires and the various stages of COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples that “they may be one so that the world may believe” (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world exchange preachers or arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The event that touches off this special experience is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
WHEN: Traditionally the week of prayer is celebrated between 18-25 January, between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul. In the southern hemisphere, where January is a vacation time, churches often find other days to celebrate it, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for unity.
The Reality of Human Trafficking in Asia: A Virtual Summit
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network (APWoFN), one of ACRP’s significant networks, will hold a webinar on Human Trafficking. The webinar’s title: “The Reality of Human Trafficking in Asia: A Virtual Summit”. The webinar will take place online, on January 14-15, 2021 @ 12:00-14:30 (Japan Time) (2PM AEDT).
Dalai Lama’s reincarnation included in Congress’ $900 billion COVID relief bill
New legislation passed by the U.S. Congress reaffirms the rights of Tibetans to choose a successor to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, imposing sanctions on Chinese Communist Party officials if they attempt to intercede in the process.
Multi-faith & Intergenerational Prayers for Peace in 2021
Religions for Peace International will offer prayers for peace in 2021 and beyond on evening of 5 January 2021 in a virtual event. Prayers will be offered from all faith traditions including Indigenous spiritualities from various corners of our planet.
Living the Change event – Melbourne December 2020
Religions for Peace Victoria / Tasmania Branches in collaboration with Greenfaith and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, Cultural Infusion and United Relikgions Initiative presented the Third Living the Change event online, on Sunday 6 December 2020m from 3 – 5:30pm.