The Indonesian bishops’ conference has backed a government minister’s appeal against hate sermons that promote religious or ethnic intolerance. Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, issued the appeal on April 28. It contained nine points targeted at religious preachers and the broader public. Bishop Yohanes Harun Yuwono of Tanjungkarang, chairman of the Commission for Ecumenical Read more
An English Cardinal and four Muslim leaders from the UK met with Pope Francis this week. They discussed interfaith relations between the religious communities in Britain. Cardinal Vincent Nichols and other Catholic leaders have been working for the past 30 years to develop strong ties with the UK’s local Muslim communities. Francis greeted the group Read more
A Muslim imam and missionary Mustenser Qamar has extended an invitation to his Lower Hutt community: come over for a cuppa and a chat. The idea behind it is for people to get to know a Muslim. “I was encouraged to do it by what is going on in the world – the proposed Muslim ban [in Read more
On a wooded lane on Long Island, a white steeple rises from a historic church, home to a congregation established by Dutch settlers. The sign out front says: “Brookville Church, Founded 1732.” It also says Muslim Reform Movement Organization. And New Synagogue of Long Island. And Interfaith Community of Long Island. Together, these four communities Read more
A Catholic church in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was sold last week to a Muslims. The Immaculate Conception B.V.M. Catholic Church in Bristol Township, located 25 miles outside of Philadelphia, was purchased by the United American Muslim Society, based in Brooklyn, New York, for $1.775 million last Friday. The real estate transaction was announced during weekend Read more
Christian groups in Vanuatu would not support an international reconciliation ceremony which involved Muslims. The reconciliation took place on Sunday. The chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council, Pastor Allan Nafuki, said they would not support the ceremony and instead plan a march for all Christians in Vanuatu next Friday. The want to send out a Read more
Migrants must spend at least 10 years in New Zealand before being welcome in Australia. Australian politician Pauline Hanson says this policy will prevent Muslims moving to New Zealand and then across the Tasman. “I don’t want Australia to be taken over by Islam and have too many of Muslims in the country, and that’s Read more
A Muslim imam and missionary has taken to Auckland’s streets to gauge what New Zealanders think about Islamic culture, and to try and change perceptions. Mustenser Qamar and a group of friends used a white board displaying the text, “I am a Muslim so that makes me…” to invite members of the public to share Read more
The Methodist church in Mornington, Dunedin, will be inviting refugees and members of the Muslim faith to take part in a shared religious service to dedicate a specially-made cross to refugees. It is a Lampedusa Cross, made from the wreckage of a refugee boat by Francesco Tucci, a carpenter on the Italian island of Lampedusa. Read more
A Muslim mother gave her blessing and support to her son who recently became one of the 11 newly ordained priests from the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) order in the presence of Archbishop Vincensius Sensi Potokota. Robertus Belarminus Asiyanto, 31, was ordained last Oct. 10 at the St. Paul Ledalero Seminary, Maumere, Flores, East Nusa Read more