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
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Jakarta’s first Christian governor, has conceded defeat to Anies Rasyid Baswedan, a Muslim and former government minister in a vote seen by many as a test of Indonesia’s secular identity. “It’s a challenge for Indonesia’s democracy,” said Bonar Tigor Naipospos, vice chairman of the executive board of the Setara Institute for Democracy Read more
When Sony Bill William covered up a BNZ logo on his rugby shirt he crossed a line that few have crossed in New Zealand; he made a public display of his religious convictions. It was a move that made world-wide headlines and it was not received well by all. It even merited a comment from Read more
The chancellor of Samoa’s Catholic Archdiocese said he supports proposed amendment to the constitution which will declare Samoa a Christian nation. He said while people of other faiths should not be worried by the amendment. But it will stop those who create conflict in the name of religion from coming to Samoa. “It doesn’t mean Read more
In Fiji, where it is a public holiday (31 October), Diwali gives an opportunity for people of different faiths and communities to come together and live in a spirit of communal harmony. Diwali, a Hindu festival, which signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair, involves followers Read more
Local Catholics are glad that a group of Muslims have decided to drop a lawsuit that sought to stop the building of a Marian shrine in Indonesia’s Yogyakarta province. In a surprise move, the 39 Islamic extremists who opposed the construction of a replica of the Lourdes grotto in the Yogyakarta province have withdrawn their Read more
Anti-Semitism is back, something that should compel Christians and Jews to work together because the problem affects them all. This was one of the messages aired during a recent seminar held by the Yad VaShem memorial at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. “Evil cannot be overlooked. You cannot put your head in the Read more
Results from a research project in New Zealand suggest that, in that country, communities of religious non-Muslims are a key resource for bridging the Muslim acceptance gap. The researchers were interested in the drivers of prejudice and tolerance towards Muslims, says Associate Professor Sibley, a member of the research team. “New Zealand is an incredibly diverse, Read more
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says New Zealand can provide a model of religious tolerance for the rest of the world. Miss Clark, who is head of the United Nations Development Programme, said this at the opening of the new Religious Diversity Centre in Wellington last week. She is to be patron of the centre. 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