There can be no solution to the climate crisis that does not recognize the rights and spiritualities of Indigenous peoples, according to religious leaders who gathered for the official COP26 side event ‘Making Peace with Nature.’
… Read more…
Global Day for Climate Action
Global Day of Climate Action: (While this is not directly interfaith activity, it is spirituality: spirituality is that you take action). World leaders will meet in Glasgow in November at the global climate talks, COP26. The COP26Coalition are organising decentralised mass mobilisations across the world, bringing together movements to build power for system change – from indigenous struggles to trade unions, from racial justice groups to youth strikers. Global Day of Climate Action is November 6. The People’s Summit for Climate Justice will take place from November 7-10.
… Read more…
Diwali returns in India as COVID situation eases
As pandemic eases with India reporting lowest daily cases since February, the Diwali festival this year is back in full swing. Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is the biggest festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world.
… Read more…
Prayers and Meditation for a Beneficial Climate Change Conference
The President of the National Council of Churches Australia shares prayers and meditations for success at the forthcoming Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Sunday, 31 Oct 2021 – Friday, 12 November 2021.
… Read more…
Care for Environment – Sikhism
The Sikh religion was founded in the late 15th century in the Punjab by Guru Nanak (1469-1539) and takes its name from the word “sikh” meaning “disciple.” It is founded on faith in one Supreme Being and meditation on the divine Name with devotion, while living a householder life of virtue, honest work, and selfless service while seeking to establish justice in the world. As part of that justice in the world, EcoSikh has been active in the area of climate mitigation for more than a decade.
… Read more…
Pope Francis explains the Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change
The Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change for COP 26 – called the Joint Appeal – was signed by over 40 religious leaders of the World’s Religions in the Vatican on October 4, 2021. At this event, Pope Francis gave a short talk wherein he identified our common humanity living on our common home. Pope Francis took up three themes in his address: openness to interdependence and sharing, the dynamism of love and the call to respect.
… Read more…
International Freedom of Religion and Belief Day
International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day occurs every 27 October and highlights that 83% of the world’s population live in countries where religious freedom is threatened.
International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day (October 27) promotes coexistence and respect between people of different cultures and religions, to foster stable and prosperous societies. It is a cause that has been taken up at the highest levels.
The US has an Ambassador-at-Large for Freedom of Religion and Belief, Sam Brownback. The United Kingdom has the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Rehman Chishti.
Joint Interfaith Statement for World Food Day
As people of faith, we join in committing to pray and act against hunger at this time when 811m people worldwide go to bed hungry each night, hunger has increased globally by 25% since 2019, and across the globe more than 41m people–around half of them children–are at risk of falling into famine in 43 countries.
… Read more…
Prayers and Meditation for a Beneficial COP 26
The President of the National Council of Churches Australia shares prayers and meditations for success at the forthcoming Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Sunday, 31 Oct 2021 – Friday, 12 November 2021.
… Read more…
Respecting Diversity In The Coronial Process
The Victorian Government has welcomed recommendations from the Coronial Council of Victoria to improve the experiences of multicultural and multifaith communities during the challenging coronial process. … Read more…
Grand Imam Al-Tayeb: “Fratelli tutti” important for Muslims too
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar speaks to Vatican Media about his relationship with Pope Francis: “From the first minute of our meeting I had confirmation that he is a man of peace and humanity. The encyclical is an appeal to create a true fraternity where there is no room for discrimination on the basis of differences of religion, race, gender, or other forms of intolerance.”
… Read more…
John Paul I on course for sainthood
Pope Francis has approved the crediting of what was described as the miraculous healing of a child to the intercession of John Paul I, advancing the cause for sainthood for one of his predecessors, who died 33 days after being elected pontiff in 1978.
… Read more…
Lecture: Embracing Cultural Diversity in Australia
The Australian Human Rights Commission invites you to the Annual Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture, delivered by writer Alice Pung on the theme, Embracing Cultural Diversity in Australia. This event (free) will be held online on Friday 29 October at 12pm.
… Read more…
Picnic 4 Peace – Lighting a Candle for Afghanistan
Picnic 4 Peace is a local organisation in Shepparton that conducts many events for our multicultural community. It began as an annual observance of International Day of Peace with a picnic at Victoria Park Lake, and then extended to having picnics at many locations in the Goulburn Valley. In 2021, due lockdown and events in Afghanistan, Picnic for Peace was held online on 21 September – International Day of Peace. This online event focussed on Peace for Afghanistan.
… Read more…
Navaratri
The Mother Goddess is well known in Hinduism. Almost every God in Hinduism either has a consort or a feminine counterpart. Shiva is Ardhanareeswara – both male and female; Ganapathi has Lakshmi for his consort, just as Krishna has Radha, and Rama has Sita. Divine forms take birth as human in order to overcome evil and restore righteousness to the Earth. Each year, there is a festival of the Mother Goddess – Navarathri (with a few spellings) which celebrates the victory of good over evil with the blessing of the Mother Goddess, who has many names and forms.
… Read more…
Slavery in our suburbs: The matrix of marriage, migration and abuse
Victoria’s Minister for Women and Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams is advocating for the federal government to increase protections for migrant victims of family violence, including women on temporary visas.
… Read more…
Online Forum Tonight: 4 October
Goulburn Valley Health, in partnership with the Victorian Government and the Greater Shepparton City Council, invites you to an online community information session this evening, Monday 4 October from 5:30pm.
The intention of this forum is to keep you informed relating to:
- The current situation in the Greater Shepparton region
- Emergency relief available to you and your family
Speakers from Goulburn Valley Health and Victorian Multicultural Commission will be present to provide this information, answer questions and respond to key issues faced by the local community.
Please join us on our Goulburn Valley Health Facebook page from 6pm.
Auslan interpreters will be present.
Thank you for your efforts to help keep Victoria COVIDSafe.
Benalla: St Joseph’s Church damaged in earthquake
Benalla’s St Joseph’s Church has been standing tall on Arundel St since 1908. The second incarnation of the church, it replaced the original building, which was erected in 1866. In its time it has survived fires, floods and minor tremors. On Wednesday, however, it shook and swayed with the rest of Victoria as the magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit.
… Read more…
Gandhi’s Birthday Reflections
October 2nd is the birth anniversary of Gandhi. INTERFIDEI (Indonesia), it is pleased to inform you that they are organizing series of Talkshows titled: Reflections on the Meaning of the Three Gandhi Issues in Interpreting the Practice of Religious Life in Society.
… Read more…
Tigers Launch Jolson/Houli Interfaith Through Sport Program
The Richmond Football Club, in partnership with Maccabi, Bachar Houli Foundation, Henry Jolson Pathways Programs and MCC Foundation, have launched the Interfaith Through Sport Program.
… Read more…