The 56th meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs took place in Bali, Indonesia, on 24 – 28 February, discussing many of the most critical concerns of churches in the region and around the world.
Month: February 2019
Papua: World Council of Churches visit, human rights situation
An ecumenical delegation coordinated by the World Council of Churches (WCC) visited Indonesia on 15-22 February, including the provinces of Papua and Papua Barat – where increasing violence and discrimination against indigenous Papuan people was recently highlighted in a joint statement by five UN human rights mandate-holders.
Where Jesus once preached, the holy waters are draining away
Climate change and conflict have left the river Jordan a stagnant stream and the Sea of Galilee critically low
China closes Tibet to foreigners for sensitive anniversaries
BEIJING (AP) — China is barring foreign travelers from Tibet over a period of several weeks that includes a pair of sensitive political anniversaries questioning the legitimacy of Beijing’s rule over the Himalayan region.
UN Food and Agriculture Organization: Pope Addresses IFAD’s Governing Council
“May we see the total defeat of hunger and a bountiful harvest of justice and prosperity.”
Pope Francis expressed this hope when meeting with participants in the Assembly of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the premises of the FAO in Rome. This morning, Feb. 14, Pope Francis addressed the opening ceremony of IFAD’s 42nd annual Governing Council meeting.
The United Nations Agency IFAD works to eradicate poverty and hunger in developing countries’ remote areas. Working with local governments, the agency creates and finances projects aimed at helping rural people to help themselves.
Interreligious Understanding Today 2019
The Woolfe Institute will conduct an online course combining history, philosophy, sociology, ethics, politics, and theology. It will provide a forum in which participants will, for example, explore different kinds of interreligious understanding (Intellectual, Empathic, Civil, Spiritual) between religions and compare the ways in which such understanding can be achieved in different cultural and political contexts in the world (US, Asia, Europe). Applications are now being accepted for the course commencing on Monday 1 April 2019. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 March 2019.
Pope in historic UAE visit urges faith leaders to reject war
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Pope Francis urged religious leaders to work together to reject the “miserable crudeness” of war as he opened the first-ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam, with a strong denunciation of violence committed in God’s name.
Shaykh Welcomes Pope Francis to UAE
Shaykh Abdallah Bin Bayyah, President of the United Arab Emirates Fatwa Council President, Forum for Promoting Peace, Co-Moderator Religions for Peace International, welcomes His Holiness Pope Francis and delegation to the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, on February 4, 2019
Muslims, Christians join forces against terrorism in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – In a show of unity and peace, Christians and Muslims joined forces in a prayer rally on Sunday, February 3, to condemn the deadly blasts that rocked the southern Philippines last week.
Thursdays in Black
In every country, gender-based violence is a tragic reality. This violence is frequently hidden, and victims are often silent, fearing stigma and further violence.
We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence, to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, are safe from rape and violence in homes, schools, work, streets – in all places in our societies.