Religions for Peace
From: Theophilus Bela
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 3:01 PM
To: Pater Bollen Heinrich SVD ; Pater Dr.Norbert Betan SVD ; Pater Dr.Paulus
Budi Kleden SVD Ledalero ; Pater Dr.Philipus Tule SVD ; Romanus Woga ; Simply
Juvenalis Maumere ; Pater Eman J. Embu SVD Maumere Flores ; Pater Jose
Carbonell-Llopis SDB Salesian Don Bosco Sumba ; Pater Peter Bataona SVD Kupang
Cc: Arkhimandrit Gereja Orthodox Indonesia ; Nina Nayoan GMKI ; Saut
Christianus Manulu SH ; Mathias Hariyadi ; Sunny Swedia ; Suster Helena SOSFS
Roma ; Helena Rijoly Ambon ; Suster Teresia Frida Roma-Flores ; Suster Densi ;
Suster Francinetti JMJ Kedutaan Vatikan ; Fr Michael E. D'Cruz Singapore ;
Reverend Hillard ; Olvi Prihutami Hongkong ; Ibu Suzie ;
[email protected] ; [email protected] ; Katolik Liberal ISKA ; Ibu
Dr.Musdah Mulia ICRP ; Elga Sarapung Interfidei ; Indah ICRP ; Red Cross ;
Justin Djogo MA ; Jopie Lasut ; Basis Jogyakarta ; Irine Kristanti JK LPK di
Indonesia ; Jhon Simamora ; Amnesty International ; Iqbal ; Sidney Jones Crisis
Group International ; Sidney Jones ; Dr.Iman Santoso INTERLINK ; Andrew Hidayat
Haggai Indonesia ; Keuskupan Sibolga Frater Frans R. Zai OFMCap ; MENJEMAAT
Keuskupan Agung Medan ; Harald Meyer Deutschland
Subject: Laporan dari Indonesian Committee on Religions for Peace (IComRP)
Dear all,
dengan senang hati berikut ini kami laporkan tentang kegiatan-kegiatan
Indonesian Committee on Religions for Peace (IComRP) baru-baru ini . Atas
undangan Venerable Master Chin Kung AM, Presiden dari sebuah organisasi umat
Buddha yang bernama Pure Land Learning College Association Inc. di Toowoomba,
dekat Brisbane Australia saya bersama beberapa tokoh agama Indonesia telah
menghadiri sebuah acara besar yang diorganisir oleh World Fellowship of
Buddhists di Bangkok, Thailand dari tanggal 21 sampai dengan tanggal 25 Mei
2012 yang lalu . Dua hari pertama acara tersebut telah dirayakan dalam rangka
memperingati Ulang Tahun ke-2600 Pencerahan Sang Hyang Buddha Gautama yang juga
disebut Perayaan Jayanti Buddha ke-2600 . Acara Besar tersebut digabung juga
dengan Perayaan Besar Memperingati Hari Ulang Tahun ke-85 Sri Baginda Raja
Bhumibhol Adulyadej dan Ulang Tahun ke-80 Sri Baginda Ratu Sirikit serta Ulang
Tahun ke-60 Pangeran Putra Mahkota Maha Vajiralongkorn dari Thailand .
Pada hari pertama acara besar dimulai dikomplek Sekolah Menengah Elite yang
bernama Sekolah Menengah Vajiravudh yang mengambil nama dari Raja Vajiravudh
atau Raja Rama VI yang telah mendirikan sekolah tersebut .
Bagian kedua acara dilanjutkan di Ruang Teater Aksra yang terletak di Gedung
King Power Building . Disana acara dibuka dengan pemukulan gong serta nyanyian
puji-pujian oleh para bhiksu Mahayana dan Theravada serta Vajrayana .
Acara diteruskan dengan sambutan-sambutan penuh khidmat oleh para bhiksu
terkemuka dari World Buddhist Assembly termasuk Venerable Master Chin Kung AM
sendiri .
Acara ditutup dengan sandiwara mengenang kehidupan Sang Hyang Buddha Gautama
sejak masa muda hingga saat beliau mencapai pencerahan . Sebelum rombongan
meninggalkan tempat upacara terdahulu menghadiri acara santap malam di Ramayana
Restaurant yang terletak disamping Ruang Teater Aksra .
Acara hari kedua lebih terpusat pada acara audiensi dengan Sri Baginda Ratu
Sirikit di Istana Raja Thailand . Ini merupakan puncak acara dan semua peserta
yang hadir diminta untuk mengenakan pakaian resmi upacara .
Terkesan sekali bahwa masyarakat bangsa Thailand amat mencintai Raja dan Ratu
mereka .
Selanjutnya dari tanggal 23 sampai dengan tanggal 25 Mei diadakan acara Dialog
Agama dengan tema Interfaith Summit dengan sub tema Achieving World Peace
Through Religious Harmony and Conflict Resolution yang digelar di hotel
Imperial Queen's Park, Bangkok .Para pembicara yang mengisi acara tersebut
mewakili agama Buddha, Hindu, Shikh, Islam, Kristen, Katolik, Baha'i,
Zoroaster serta agama penduduk asli Australia . Sungguh tiga hari acara seminar
dialog agama yang padat dan menarik .
Delegasi Indonesia yang diundang keacara umat Buddha tersebut terdiri atas 8
orang dipimpin oleh Prof. Dr. Nazaruddin Umar, Wakil Menteri Agama RI serta
nama-nama para anggota delegasi yang lain adalah sebagai berikut :
-Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nurcholis Setiawan dari Kementerian Agama RI dan Universitas
Islam Negeri Yogyakarta
-Dr. Abdul Rahim Yunus, Ketua FKUB Sulawesi Selatan, Makassar
-Bingky Irawan Poo, Wakil Agama Konghucu
-Agus Indra Udayana, Wakil Agama Hindu
-Prof. Dr. Albertus Boedisoesanto, SY dari Universitas Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta
-Pdt. Dr. Tjahjadi Nugroho Damaris, MA, Ketua Umum Asosiasi Pendeta Indonesia
(API)
-Theophilus Bela, M.A., Sekjen Indonesian Committee on Religions for Peace
(IComRP) dan Ketua Umum Forum Komunikasi
Kristiani Jakarta (FKKJ)
Juga perlu disebut nama Ibu Isabel Hsu, anggota Pure Land Learning College
Association Inc. yang telah banyak membantu rombongan dari Indonesia selama
acara besar di Bangkok tersebut .
Saya tidak melihat kemacetan lalu lintas di Bangkok, juga di saat-saat sibuk
dipagi hari atau pada sore hari . Ditahun 1980-an kalau orang bicara tentang
Bangkok lalu orang akan bicara tentang kemacetan lalu lintas dikota itu .
Mungkin Bangkok sudah berhasil mengatasi kemacetan lalu lintas karena sudah
membangun jaringan kereta api layang yang terbentang diatas kota itu .
Acara besar kedua yang ingin kami laporkan ialah Acara Pertemuan Tahunan Para
Anggota Dewan Pengurus dari Konperensi Agama-Agama se-Asia untuk Perdamaian
(Asian Conference on Religions for Peace disingkat ACRP) yang telah berlangsung
di Korea Selatan dari tanggal 11 sampai dengan 15 Juni 2012 yang lalu . Dari
Indonesia hadir dalam acara tersebut ialah Prof. Dr. Din Syamsuddin, Ketua Umum
PP Muhammadiyah yang juga President/Moderator ACRP, Romo Johannes Hariyanto, SY
dari Indonesian Conference on Religions for Peace dan Theophilus Bela, Sekjen
Indonesian Committee on Religions for Peace dan Ketua Umum Forum Komunikasi
Kristiani Jakarta (FKKJ) . Ada dua lagi anggota delegasi Indonesia yang tak
bisa hadir karena berhalangan .
Pada hari pertama diadakan acara perjamuan selamat datang untuk para anggota
delegasi dari 12 negara Asia termasuk Australia yang diadakan di Best Western
Premier Incheon Airport Hotel yang terletak tak jauh jauh dari bandara
internasional Seoul yang baru . Berbagai macam ragam santapan Korea disuguhkan
dalam acara tersebut . Keesokan harinya rombongan mengadakan perjalanan darat
dengan bis selama 4 jam menuju lokasi petemuan di Hanwha Resort Jeonnam,
semacam tempat peristirahatan Puncak dekat Bogor dikita . Dalam perjalanan ini
yang boleh dikatakan menelusuri jazirah Korea dari kota Seoul di Utara menuju
Jeonnam yang terletak diujung Selatan jazirah negeri tersebut . Kami telah
melalui jalan tol yang mulus-mulus bebas macet negeri ginseng tersebut dan
dimana-mana kami lihat jaringan tegangan tinggi listrik yang menyediakan energi
berlimpah bagi pembangunan negeri tersebut .
Sesampai ditempat tujuan kami langsung bersiap-siap untuk menghadiri sebuah
acara besar umat Buddha berupa Kongres ke-26 dari World Fellowship of Buddhists
yang akan berlangsung dikota pantai Samudera Pasifik yang bernama Yeosu . Acara
besar umat Buddha tersebut telah diisi dengan sambutan-sambutan meriah dari
Presiden Asosiasi Awam Umat Buddha Korea dari Wihara Jogye serta tokoh-tokoh
Buddha lainnya . Juga Presiden Korea Selatan Lee Myung-bak dan Sekjen ACRP Dr.
Sunggon Kim, yang juga anggota DPR negeri tersebut turut memberi sambutan dalam
acara meriah tersebut .
Acara pertemuan tahunan ACRP sendiri baru diadakan pada hari ke-3 yaitu pada
tanggal 13 Juni ditempat penginapan kami ditempat peristirahatan Hanwha di
Jeonnam, yang berjarak sekitar satu jam perjalanan dengan bis dari kota
pelabuhan Yeosu . Dalam rapat tersebut didengarkan laporan dari negara-negara
anggota termasuk dari Indonesia dan juga dibahas mata anggaran organisasi serta
mata acara kedepan ACRP . Karena kongres atau General Aseembly ACRP yang lalu
di Filipina jatuh pada tahun 2008 maka kongres berikut mestinya diadakan tahun
2013 yang akan datang . Namun karena tahun 2013 akan diadakan General Assembly
dari World Conference on Religions for Peace (WCRP) maka terpaksa kongres ACRP
yang berikut ditunda hingga tahun 2014 .
Karena banyak negara menyatakan tak mampu menjadi tuan rumah kongres ACRP maka
ada usul untuk menyelenggarakan kongres ACRP yang berikut di Indonesia . Memang
ada kesan bahwa kawan-kawan dari negara-negara lain itu ingin sekali berkunjung
ke Indonesia tentu saja dengan maksud untuk menikmati wisata dinegeri kita .
Namun mengingat bahwa Indonesia baru saja menjadi tuan rumah kongres ACRP yaitu
tahun 2002 maka diusulkan negara-negara lain untuk menjadi tuan rumah General
Assembly berikutnya . Rapat memutuskan agar Sekjen ACRP mempelajari kemungkinan
untuk mengadakan kongres berikut di Pakistan atau negara lain yang belum
pernah menjadi tuan rumah kongres ACRP .
Juga ada wakil dari World Conference on Religions for Peace atau sekarang lebih
dikenal dengan sebutan Religions for Peace International (disingkat RfP
International) dari New York yang mengabarkan tentang rencana kongres WCRP yang
akan datang . Wakil dari RfP yang hadir ialah Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, yang sudah
menjadi Deputy Secretary General RfP menjelaskan kepada sidang bahwa Kongres
WCRP yang sedianya akan berlangsung tahun 2012 ini ditunda ke pertengahan
pertama tahun 2013 . Tempat kongres WCRP ialah sebuah negara di Timur Tengah
dan yang disebut-sebut ialah Qatar . Dalam waktu yang tidak lama lagi pihak RfP
New York akan mengumumkan kepastian mengenai waktu dan tempat kongres WCRP yang
akan datang .
Dalam Newsletter yang kami terima dari RfP dibawah ini Anda akan mendapat
informasi lebih lanjut tentang acara kongres WCRP tersebut .
Hari terakhir pertemuan di Korea Selatan diisi dengan kunjungan ke MARIN EXPO
2012 dikota pelabuhan Yeosu, yang juga merupakan kota asal dan daerah pemilihan
Dr. Sunggon Kim, Sekjen ACRP yang telah 4 kali terpilih menjadi Anggota DPR
negerinya .
Pihak panitia sudah menyiapkan acara yang padat dan rapi serta menyenangkan
rombongan kami untuk mengunjungi MARIN EXPO 2012 yang akan berlangsung hingga
bulan Agustus nanti .
Pada malam harinya Uskup Agung Yeosu, Mgr. Kim Heejoong, yang juga adalah Ketua
Umum Korean Religons for Peace mengadakan jamuan perpisahan bagi rombongan kami
. Kepada saya Mgr. Kim mengatakan bahwa beliau mengenal Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo,
Uskup Agung Jakarta .
Sebelum meninggalkan Seoul pada hari Sabtu tanggal 16 Juni saya sempat menginap
semalam di Wisma KBRI dan untuk itu saya ucapkan banyak terima kasih untuk
Bapak Dr. A.M. Fachir, Dirjen Informasi dan Diplomasi Publik Kementerian Luar
Negeri di Jakarta dan Bapak Duta Besar kita di Seoul Bapak Tandi Nicolas Dammen
serta segenap staf KBRI disana . Saya terpaksa menginap semalam di Wisma KBRI
karena pada hari Jumat tanggal 15 Juni saat bis yang membawa kami dari Jeonnam
tiba di bandara internasional Incheon, Seoul pukul 13.30 siang pesawat Garuda
yang terbang ke Jakarta sudah take off pukul 10.30 sebelumnya . Tapi staf
bagian protokol KBRI sungguh baik hati menantikan saya di airport Incheon .
Untuk itu sekali lagi saya ucapkan banyak terima kasih .
Dibawah ini ada Newsletter dari Religions for Peace International New York
dalam bahasa Inggris . Didalamnya ada laporan tentang kegiatan RfP di Eropa dan
juga tentang acara yang telah disponsori Tokoh Muslim Bosnia-Herzegowina yang
bernama Mufti Agung Dr. Mustafa Cerik . Disebutkan bahwa tema utama kongres
World Confernce on Religions for Peace/WCRP yang akan datang berjudul :
Welcoming the Other : Action for Human Dignity, Citizenship and Shared
Wellbeing artinya Mari Kita Bergotong Royong Menjunjung Tinggi Harkat dan
Martabat Manusia serta Persamaan Hukum Semua Warga Negara dalam Menikmati
Kesejahteraan Bersama .
Juga ada berita tentang para Tokoh Muda Agama yang Mengatakan TIDAK pada
Kekerasan terhadap Perempuan .
Juga ada berita menarik tentang kegiatan dialog agama Indonesia-Italia di
Jakarta dalam bulan April yang lalu yang mengatakan dialog agama harus menuju
perdamaian . Bapak Menteri Luar Negeri Marty Natalegawa menekankan bahwa
membangun saling pengertian adalah jalan terbaik untuk mencapai perdamaian
dunia . Juga dalam kesempatan itu Uskup Agung Jakarta, Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo
mengatakan tidak cukup kalau kita hanya mengadakan diskusi-diskusi, seminar
atau pidato-pidato saja tapi kita harus aktip mendukung penuh setiap usaha
untuk saling pengertian . Hadir juga dalam acara tersebut Prof. Din Syamsuddin,
Ketua Umum PP Muhammadiyah yang bersama Ketua Umum Komunitas Sant'Egidio Prof.
Marco Impagliazzo menanda-tangani sebuah nota kesepakatan untuk bekerja-sama
guna perdamaian dan pembangunan sosial . Komunitas Sant'Egidio ialah sebuah
organisasi besar kaum awam Katolik dari Italia yang telah berkiprah dimanca
negara dibidang sosial dan perdamaian .
Juga ada laporan dari Sri Langka, Afrika serta negara-negara lain disluruh
dunia .
Terima kasih banyak untuk perhatian Anda sekalian dan bersama ini saya ucapkan
kepada Anda semua
salam hormat
Theophilus Bela
Sekjen Indonesian Committee on Religions for Peace (IComRP)
Ketua Umum Forum Komunikasi Kristianai Jakarta (FKKJ)
----- Pesan yang Diteruskan -----
Dari: Dr. William F. Vendley <[email protected]>
Kepada: [email protected]
Dikirim: Kamis, 28 Juni 2012 0:37
Judul: Religions for Peace Newsletter April-May 2012
Having trouble viewing this message? Click Here
share
EMAIL TO A FRIEND DONATE LEARN MORE
Allow us to share news about Religions for Peace and its religious
leaders as they continue to provide leadership related to our mission in their
own communities. The content and opinions expressed in IN THE NEWS section do
not necessarily reflect the views of, nor are they endorsed by, Religions for
Peace. These stories appear as printed in their original independent sources.
In the Network
President of Bosnia-Herzegovina Addresses the European Council of
Religious Leaders-Religions for Peace Annual Meeting
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; 8 May
The European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL)-Religions for
Peace (RfP) held its two-day annual meeting in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina on
Tuesday 8 May. During the opening ceremony, the Council heard addresses from
the President of Bosnia-Herzegovina, H.E. Bakir Izobegovic, the Catholic
Archbishop of Sarajevo and President of the Interreligious Council in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, H.E. Vinko Cardinal Puljic [an Honorary President of RfP],
and the Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina Dr. Mustafa Ceric, [a Co-President of
RfP].
The Council of Europe Secretary General, Mr. Torbjørn Jagland, was
also present and underscored in his keynote address the importance of human
rights, saying that if human rights are not for all – they will not be for
anyone.
The ECRL Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, reminded the Council
that one of the most serious challenges to cohesion in Europe today is
extremism in all forms. “Religiously motivated terrorism is a threat in many
parts of the world. Multiculturalism has unfortunately become an ambiguous term
even provoking social and political crises in several countries in Europe. Read
more>>
The Revd Bishop Thomas Wipf Elected as the New Moderator of the
ECRL-RfP
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; 10 May
Revd Bishop Thomas Wipf, Pastor in the Swiss Church and President
of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe since 2006, was elected as
the new Moderator of the ECRL-RfP, succeeding Bishop Gunnar Stålsett of Norway,
who has served in that position since the Council launched in 2002.
Revd Wipf stated “Living together as members of different faith
communities in Europe can be challenging. The ECRL-RfP is a witness of fruitful
cooperation among religions. It is with gratitude I accept the position as the
second Moderator. It is my hope that ECRL-RfP will be further strengthened as
the most representative interreligious platform in Europe.”
Mr. Stein Villumstad [General Secretary of the ECRL-RfP] expressed
the deep appreciation felt by all for the groundbreaking work carried out by
Bishop Stålsett. He observed at the same time that the election marked a new
chapter in the life of the ECRL-RfP. “I wish Thomas Wipf a hearty welcome as
the new Moderator, and I am confident that his leadership will further develop
ECRL’s viability and relevance for European religious communities and in the
European public discourse.” Read more>>
The ECRL-RfP Pre Assembly Concludes with Focus on Inclusive
Citizenship
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; 10 May
Over 40 participants from 21 European countries and 10 religious
traditions gathered in Sarajevo for the European Pre-Assembly to prepare for
the global RfP IXth World Assembly under the theme: Welcoming the Other: Action
for Human Dignity, Citizens and Shared Wellbeing. Religious leaders, academics,
youth and grass root activists discussed how religions can play a positive part
in our joint future.
The Council meeting was generously hosted by the Grand Mufti of
Bosnia-Herzegovina Dr. Mustafa Ceric, [a Co-President of RfP], and the Islamic
Community of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In his remarks Dr. William Vendley [RFP Secretary General], shared
that from its origin in 1970 RfP has gathered itself every five or six years in
World Assemblies for religious communities to further clarify their shared
moral concerns and mount major action initiatives. Next year, RfP
representatives from over 90 countries will convene to discern major global
challenges and further equip themselves for collaborative action. Read more>>
Living Together in Diversity and Harmony
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina; 10 May
The ECRL-RfP concluded its annual Council meeting by issuing the
Sarajevo Declaration: Ten Years of Living Together in Diversity and Harmony,
which also reflected the meeting’s main theme. The Council shared in eight
points its vision of a wholesome society in which the diversity of people are
able to live and flourish together.
You may read the full Sarajevo Declaration here and the
accompanying Communiqué here.
The Council also issued a statement on Restoring Dignity: A
Commitment to End Violence against Women underlining that violence against
women is wrong and that religions must support the dignity and full human
rights of women, particularly in helping to stop violence and discrimination
against women.
The religious leaders committed themselves to engage religious
communities to prevent acts of violence against women and mobilise the
compassion of religious communities to help, care for and heal survivors of
violence. They further committed themselves to engage men and boys in the
prevention of violence against women, and advocate for changes in public policy
and opinion that contribute to violence against women.
You may view the full text of the statement Restoring Dignity: A
Commitment to End Violence against Women here.
Religious Youth say No to Violence against Women
Please like the ongoing Restoring Dignity Campaign on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/restoringdignity and follow this campaign on twitter
@restoringdignity to learn more about this campaign led by youth from the
world's religions, with the goal of preventing violence against women and
girls.
Bishop Gunnar J. Stålsett Re-Elected to Nobel Peace Prize Committee
Oslo, Norway
Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, [Moderator Emeritus of the ECRL-RfP],
Bishop Emeritus of Oslo, Church of Norway, has been re-elected as one of five
members to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.
Bishop Stålsett served on the Committee from 1985-90 and from
1994-2002.
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee members are appointed by the
Norwegian Parliament. According to the rules laid down by the Parliament,
election to the Committee is for a six-year term, and members can be
re-elected. Although this is not a requirement, all committee members have been
Norwegian nationals.
V. Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky Leads Discussion on Religious Minorities
in Russia
New York, New York; 23 May
V. Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky [Moderator of RfP], Director of External
Affairs and Interchurch Relations for the Orthodox Church in America, will lead
a conversation on the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the
Kremlin, and the standing of religious minorities in Russia.
This event, which will take place on 23 May, is part of Religion
and Foreign Policy series, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations, of
which Rev. Kishkovsky is a member.
Religion, Security & Violence Prevention
New York, New York; 23 April
The RfP Global Women of Faith Network convened its second seminar
on “Religion, Women and Peacebuilding,” with a focus on security and violence
prevention. The seminar, attended by high-level representatives of the United
Nations Secretariat, Member States, religious leaders, and the United Nations
NGO community was designed to harvest and animate good practices of women of
faith in peacebuilding around the world and linked to women of faith
peacebuilding efforts on the ground.
H.E. Ambassador Josephine Ojiambo, the Deputy Representative of
Kenya to the United Nations, emphasized that women of faith are already taking
on leadership roles that have built a roadmap for future peace and security.
Dr. Henia Dakkak, Technical Advisor for the Humanitarian Response
Branch of the United Nations Population Fund, challenged the participants to
think about violence against women as a war crime, and be critical of the
foundations of the crime, including a plethora of social influences at home, in
religious communities and in society.
Ms. Jackie Ogega [Director of the Women’s Program at RfP] called on
participants to examine the things that drive them most in pursuing peace and
security, and draw inspiration and passion to take action, rather than just
pursue dialogue.
Dr. William Vendley [Secretary General of RfP] said that violence
against women is a threat to shared security—a concept that denotes security
based on shared wellbeing, a security that benefits everyone with a fundamental
reciprocity that exists at every level of human experience.
The Seminar was convened in collaboration with United Nations
Women, Princeton University Office for Religious Life, Norwegian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Ford Foundation, The Salvation Army International Social
Justice Commission, the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations and
the Institute for Global Engagement. The next seminar will be convened in the
fall of 2012. Read More>>
Leading Lights and Child Rights Defenders Expected at the Global
Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) Fourth Forum
Rev. Keishi Miyamoto [an International Trustee of RfP], President
of Arigatou International, will lead a group of distinguished presenters and
participants from around the world at the GNRC Fourth Forum in Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania in June.
Participants from 65 countries will attend the Forum, including Dr.
Graca Machel, H.E. Ofelia Ortega, H.E. Dr. Sam Kobia, His Grace Bishop Dr.
Method Kilaini, H.E. Amb. Stephen Lewis, H.E. Joachim Chissano, Prof. P.L.O.
Lumumba, Dr. Marta Pais Dos Santo, Prof. Anis Ahmad, Prof. Anna Tibaijuka and
Father Leonidas Ortis—
The GNRC Fourth Forum comes in the backdrop of mixed progress made
in the MDG process, with a significant number of countries remaining off-track
in their quest to achieve some of the targets by 2015. At the Forum, new
partnerships that specifically address child poverty will be discussed and
existing ones will be looked at with the intention of scaling them up. Read
More>>
Mr. Steve Killelea Launches 2012 United States Peace Index
Washington, D.C., USA; 25 April
Mr. Steve Killelea [an International Trustee of RfP], Executive
Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace, launched the 2012 U.S. Peace
Index on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C, with a panel discussion focusing on the
implications of the Index on the economy and budget.
The 2012 United States Peace Index has found that the U.S. is more
peaceful now than at any other time over the last twenty years.
The Index provides a comprehensive measure of U.S. peacefulness at
the state and city levels and an analysis of the socio-economic measures that
are associated with peace. The Index includes an analysis of the economic
costs related to a lack of peace in the United States, and finds that a
reduction in violence and crime would result in hundreds of billions of dollars
of savings for government at the federal and state level and additional
economic activity. Read More>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
In the News
Catholics and Jews United to Heal the Current Economic Crisis
2 April
Rabbi David Rosen [a Co-President of RfP], International Director
of Interreligious Affairs of American Jewish Committee, participated in the
meeting of the Bilateral Commission of the Vatican and the Chief Rabbinate of
Israel that took place at the Casa Valdese in Rome from March 27-29. The
Commission ended its three day meeting discussing “Religious Perspectives on
the Current Financial Crisis: Vision for a Just Economic Order,” with unanimous
agreement on the contents of a joint statement hailing common Jewish and
Catholic moral, ethical values as guidelines for action.
The Chairman of the Jewish delegation, Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen,
opened the meeting giving thanks to God for the historic transformation in
Catholic-Jewish relations since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and the
historic visit of Pope John Paul II to Israel which led to the establishment of
the bilateral commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Holy See.
The Chairman of the Catholic delegation, Cardinal Peter Kodwo
Appiah Turkson [a former Honorary President of RfP], President of the
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, paid tribute to his predecessor,
Cardinal Jorge Mejia, and to the members of the Bilateral Commission. He said
he welcomed his new responsibility. Having studied in Jerusalem in his youth,
Cardinal Turkson speaks fluent Hebrew. Read Full Statement here>>
Interfaith Dialogue Must Foster Peace
2 April
The governments of Indonesia and Italy say they are committed to
taking interfaith dialogue to a higher level, with the aim of fostering global
peace and respect for minority groups.
This was the message from the foreign ministers of the two
countries at the opening of an interfaith forum yesterday in Jakarta.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Marty M. Natalegawa said that building
bridges of mutual understanding is the best way to foster a global culture of
peace. “Message of peace in interfaith dialogue must echo outside assembly
halls,” he said.
Participants in yesterday’s dialogue included Archbishop Ignatius
Suharyo of Jakarta, Dr. Din Syamsuddin [a Co-President of RfP], Chairman of
Indonesia’s largest Islamic group Muhammadiyah, and Sant’Egidio President Marco
Impagliazzo. Read More>>
Archbishop of Canterbury Issues Middle East Peace Call
8 April
The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams [a Co-President of
RfP], the spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans, used his Easter Sunday
address to urge religious leaders in Israel and Palestine to seek a "truly
shared future."
The 61-year-old church leader, who will leave the post he has held
for a decade in December, said Israel's right to exist must be respected but
that the "humiliation" of Palestinians was unacceptable.
"A visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, will
convince you why the state of Israel exists and must go on existing," said
Williams during the service at Canterbury Cathedral in south east England.
"We have to encourage the religious leadership in the Holy Land on
all sides to speak as if they believed in a God who acts, not only a God who
endorses their version of reality," added the outgoing cleric. Read More>>
Writer Idanna Pucci vs. African Dictator
13 April
Mrs. Idanna Pucci [an RFP International Trustee] stood up to an
African dictator — and her battle is not over.
When the Gramercy Park author found out that Republic of Congo
President Sassou Nguesso wanted to take her explorer ancestor’s remains and put
them in a $9 million mausoleum to boost his own image, she was livid.“Building
a multimillion-dollar monument with his people living in poverty was
unconscionable,” said Pucci, whose story is told in Clemente Bicocchi’s
brilliant documentary produced by Mr. Terrence Ward [an RFP International
Trustee] “Black Africa White Marble.” Read More>>
Archbishop Longley Invests International Sikh Leader a Knight of
St. Gregory in St Chad’s Cathedral
23 April
History was made in the Catholic Church during a special Mass and
Investiture at Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St Chad, Birmingham, of
Bhai Sahib Bhai Dr Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia [an International Trustee of RfP]
and Mr. William Ozanne, as Knights of the Pontifical Order of Pope St Gregory
the Great, on Sunday 22 April 2012.
The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham,
invested the internationally known and respected Spiritual Leader and Chairman
of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, based in the Handsworth area of Birmingham,
with one of the highest Papal Awards. The Order of St Gregory is normally
bestowed on Catholics but in rare cases it is also conferred on non-Catholics
in recognition of meritorious service to the Catholic Church and the
exceptional example they have set in their communities and country.
The Archbishop continued: “I believe that it is the first time that
a Papal Honour has been bestowed in this way on a spiritual leader from within
the Sikh community. It represents the Holy Father’s recognition of Bhai Sahib
Bhai’s deeply held desire for fruitful and lasting relations between Sikhs and
Catholics and opportunities to witness together. Read More>>
Read letter to Bhai Sahib Ji from Secretary General Dr. Vendley
here>>
Bosnian Cardinal Laments Sarajevo's "Disappearing Christians"
24 April
The head of Bosnia's Roman Catholic Church has warned of the
"uncertain future" facing Christians in the capital, Sarajevo, after their
numbers dwindled by a third in the past decade.
"It isn't easy to say what has happened to Sarajevo, this ancient
town of mutual coexistence, built up over history by Christians, Jews and
Muslims," said Cardinal Vinko Puljic [an Honorary President of RfP].
Puljic, 66, assessed the current condition of Sarajevo's faith
communities in a statement dated 6 April that commemorated the start of the
city's four-year siege by Bosnian Serb force two decades ago. Some 10,500
residents of the city were killed.
"After such a violent and senseless war, it's hard to believe
Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Muslims and Jews can live together any longer.
With positions opposed between Croats, Serbs and Bosnians, the reality by which
diverse peoples lived together here has begun to splinter and falter," Puljic
said. Read More>>
Holy Hill with His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan
28 April
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan [a Co-President of RfP] drew a
large crowd of Catholics and well-wishers to Holy Hill on Saturday for a
special Mass of Thanksgiving, some arriving as early as 4:30 a.m. to ensure a
spot in the historic Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.
The enthusiastic throng filled the Basilica hours before Dolan
celebrated Mass there, and hundreds of others spilled into the Chapel on the
lower level, where they watched the service on big screens. He later greeted
those who had gathered in the lower chapel.
In his first visit to the Archdiocese since his elevation to
Cardinal in February, Dolan enjoyed standing ovations and called his elevation
to Cardinal a tribute to Catholics in southeastern Wisconsin. Watch Video>>
Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs Combine for White House
Conference on Social Justice
30 April
Hindu American Seva Charities (HASC), a member community of RfP
USA, again made history, co-hosting with The White House Office of Public
Engagement and Intergovernmental Agencies and the White House Office of Faith
Based and Neighborhood Partnerships an historic conference, Community Building
in the 21st Century with Strengthened Dharmic Faith-Based Institutions for the
Dharmic Religious Leaders.
During a session with Rev. Suzan Johnson Cook, United States
Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, concerns were raised
about the condition of religious minorities (particularly Hindu, Sikh,
Buddhist) in Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as the plight of Buddhists in
South-east Asia and Tibet.
Rev. Bud Heckman [Secretary General of RfP USA], said, “We have a
United Nations, why can’t we have a united front of religions working for
peace? Today, 76% of America is Christian – by 2050 more than 50% the American
public will be non-Christian. So understanding the Dharmic community is
important.” Read More>>
A Concert of Reconciliation
1 May
In the wake of Jewish-Catholic Vatican Council reconciliation in
the 1960s, a new Catholic movement called The Neocatechumenal Way was founded
in Spain, in large part, to further Catholic spiritual renewal and solidify the
relationship with Jews.
The group, now with more than 80 seminaries around the world and a
major center in Israel’s Galilee, is presenting a free symphonic concert in
Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall billed as a “musical gift to the Jewish
people.”
After the performance of the symphony, Rabbi David Rosen [a
Co-President of RfP], the American Jewish Committee’s director of
interreligious relations, is scheduled to lead a memorial prayer for the
victims of the Shoah, prior to a collective recitation of “Shema.” Read More>>
Aram I launches UAE, Iran Visits
2 May
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, His Holiness Aram I [an
Honorary President of RfP] began his pastoral visit in the United Arab Emirates.
He will preside over activities organized by the Armenian Community
in Sharja and Dubai, and in Abu Dhabi he will lay the corner-stone to the
Church and community centre on the land offered by Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al
Nahyan. Read More>>
Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace elaborates on Religion and
Peace
2 May
The Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace expressed their views
regarding the Dambulla mosque incident at a media briefing on Monday.
Prof. Ven. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera [Chairman Council of
Religions for Peace], stated:
“We see this Dambulia incident as a private dispute that has
aggravated. It is unwise to transform religious issues in to political issues.
As the religious council, we believe that discussions should be held regarding
the matter and all those concerned should be involved in these discussions.”
Read More>>
The Need for Dialogue in Nigeria
6 May
On the 20th of October, 2011, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, called an extra ordinary meeting
of the Nigerian Inter-religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja to appeal to religious
leaders to seek ways of using religion to restore peace and promote peaceful
coexistence in Nigeria.
This meeting revealed that Nigerian government is passionate about
dialogue to the extent of putting in place the NIREC to promote dialogue and
peaceful coexistence. Read More>>
Liberia: IRCL Announces Visit of Major RfP Delegation
8 May
The Interreligious Council of Liberia (IRCL)-RfP says it is
tomorrow expecting a major delegation from RfP in Liberia. The delegation will
remain in Liberia from May 8 to May 12, 2012.
Religions for Peace is the world’s largest multi-religious
organization, accredited to the United Nations and headquartered in New York.
The two-person delegation includes Rev. Kyoichi Sugino [Deputy
Secretary General of RfP], and Ms. Deepika Singh [Director of Programs]. The
two will have a special convening with the Executive Committee of the IRCL and
pay a courtesy visit to the ailing IRCL Stewarts, Archbishop Michael K. Francis
and Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Walker.
The four-day visit of the delegation to Liberia is a landmark
consolidation of the role of RfP IRCL in Liberia’s Post-War Development,
specifically in the area of security and welfare of children and adolescents
with the zest to contribute towards a meaningful achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals by 2015. Read More>>
WEA Leaders Meet with Chinese Government Minister and Church
Representatives during China Visit
10 May
On May 10th, Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe[a Co-President of RfP],
Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), which represents
some 600 million Evangelical Pretestants, met in Beijing with Minister Wang of
the Chinese fovernment who is Director General of the State Administration for
Religious Affairs (SARA).
The two-hour meeting focused on issues of mutual concern to the
Chinese Government, the China Christian Council (CCC) and the WEA. Building on
previous visits, a small delegation from the WEA met to continue in dialogue on
matters of importance to Christians both in China and the world. Read More>>
Zambia Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS (ZINGO)–RfP Zambia
Issues Interfaith Communiqué
“We religious leaders representing the Baha’i, Christian, Hindu and
Islam faiths gathered here today, the 26th of April, 2012; Sharing in the
optimism and hope of a better Zambia; Committed to supporting progressive
programmes of the Government; Determined to ensure that the developmental hopes
and aspirations harbored by our people are safeguarded; Recognizing the
significance of the rights-based approach to social development and the fight
against HIV and AIDS, equality of men and women in the sight of God, their
right to equal participation and respect, and tolerance of each other’s faith;
wish to register our own concerns regarding the moral degradation currently
prevailing in our nation.
Gender Based Violence We have noticed with utter sadness despicable
cases of GBV within our communities. We find this disturbing because love and
compassion should be the bedrock of any social relationship. Whilst
acknowledging that differences are inevitable within any relationship, there is
no good reason that would morally justify the cruel violence inflicted upon our
vulnerable women in society. Perpetuating the type of behavior we have been
witnessing lately will only breed a future generation that regards violence as
a normal way of resolving conflict.” Read More>>
In Memoriam: Mosharraf Hossain
5 May
Former State Minister for Religious Affairs of Bangladesh, the
Honourable Mosharraf Hossain Shahjahan [President Emeritus of the Asian
Conference of RfP and President Emeritus of RfP Bangladesh], died at Gulshan's
United Hospital in Dhaka on Saturday. He was 73. The veteran BNP leader from
Bhola had been admitted to the hospital on April 23 with chest pain and he
breathed his last around 9:00am, his relatives said.
Shahjahan, left behind a son, three daughters and a host of
relatives and well-wishers who mourn his death. Read More>> Read Dr. Vendley’s
Letter here.
RELIGIONS FOR PEACE—the world’s largest and most representative
multi-religious coalition—advances common action among the world’s religious
communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict,
advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect
the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of
senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional
inter-religious bodies and more than eighty national ones; and the Global Women
of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.
SUBSCRIPTIONS UPDATE PROFILE
If you recieved this email from a friend, sign up to recieve future
emails.
Vist us at
nonprofit software
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe : [email protected]
Unsubscribe : [email protected]
List owner : [email protected]
Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
