Calls for hope in times like these can seem like toxic positivity — or like a slur. Urging hope seems to ignore charred bodies in a kibbutz and bombed refugee camps, to mock victims of hate crimes, to disregard the failed peace agreements and war machines that crisscross the sky. Countering rhetoric and policies At Read more
Buddhist and Catholic scholars gathered in Bangkok for the seventh Buddhist-Christian Colloquium, fostering an alliance built on compassion to heal the world’s wounds. Emphasising the pivotal role of compassion in understanding and addressing global suffering, the scholars issued a joint statement affirming the urgency to mend humanity’s afflictions. The Vatican’s Dicastery orchestrated the event for Read more
Commitment to interfaith understanding and cooperation has resulted in Singaporean nun Sister Theresa Seow (pictured) being honoured with an Exemplary Interfaith Award. Jamiyah Singapore – the Muslim non-profit organisation behind the award – aims to “work and contribute towards the welfare and overall development of the Muslim community and mankind”, according to its website mission Read more
There is comfort and hope in the way Dr Mary Eastham talks of human connections as an art form, a work of beauty that can build trust and understanding capable of overcoming any injustice. It is in the timbre of her voice and the conviction of her words. The 71-year-old, who has been bestowed a Read more
The Anglican Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, was in Rome this week. It is his first official visit to the Anglican Centre and the Holy See. Cottrell said he felt encouraged to have met people within the Roman Catholic Church leadership after meeting Pope Francis at the Anglican Centre on Monday. His audience with Francis Read more
Well ahead of his May 6 coronation, King Charles met a Catholic delegation at Buckingham Palace last week. As king, Charles is the supreme governor of the Church of England. Speaking for the 12-member delegation, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster pledged his church’s allegiance to the new king. “For so many years, we have observed Read more
Muslims in France are standing with Catholics grieving Paris’s fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral. Their vision of an inter-religious gathering to show their support was realised in Paris last Saturday, when they joined with Catholics and Christians of other religions in song and prayer. The celebration of inter-faith togetherness was organised by Christian movement Efesia as Read more
Fiji is one of the many countries around the globe that celebrated a special Diwali mass to pay respects to the Hindu festival of light. In his homily at the Diwali (also called Deepawali or Deepavali) mass, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong of Suva spoke of the one God. The Catholic Church believes and teaches the Read more
New Christian communities are on the cards in Saudi Arabia. At present, all other religions besides Wahhabite Islam are prohibited. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has recently begun a series of social reforms. They have raised the hopes of Christian communities in the Middle East. The reforms have resulted in Saudi leaders meeting representatives Read more
Interfaith dialogue shows many similarities between the three major Abrahamic faiths. Jews, Christians and Muslims share a common belief in one God, share common characters, like prophets, angels and Satan and similar codes of morality, social responsibility and accountability. They also exclude women from religious and spiritual leadership. Read more