interfaith Archives – The Catholic News

Lunar New Year interfaith outreach spreads message of harmony

Participants of various faiths give oranges to people during the World Interfaith Harmony Week event. Photo: MUIS

Michelle Voo

Happy World Interfaith Harmony Week 2019! “One Blood, One Humanity”.

From “wows”, polite “thank yous” and bewilderment to downright suspicion and outright rejection – such was the spectrum of reactions various faith-based groups received on Feb 9 when they offered this greeting of peace (printed on a postcard), an invitation to a blood donation drive at a mosque, and a pair of oranges to members of the public at the Bishan MRT and Junction 8 mall area.

Around 70 members of various faiths took part in this outreach, including seven young people and three adults from the Catholic Church.

Mosque visit deepens friendships

Imam Habib Syed Hassan Al-Attas (extreme right) shows a Qur’an manuscript to (from left) Msgr Philip Heng, Archbishop William Goh and Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman at the Ba’alwie Mosque during an interfaith visit.Archbishop William Goh made a personal visit to the Ba’alwie Mosque at the invitation of Imam Habib Syed Hassan Al-Attas on Dec [...]

A dialogue of love among people of different faiths

The international Focolare Movement recently met in Rome to celebrate the legacy of their founder and conduct interfaith dialogues. Lawrence Chong, a Singapore representative, shares his experience. In a family-like atmosphere, more than 250 members of different faiths from 30 nations gathered from March 17 to 19 at Castel Gandolfo near Rome to celebrate the [...]

Learning about faith proclamation, interfaith dialogue

Interreligious dialogue and faith proclamation are not in conflict. They are “two aspects of the comprehensive understanding of evangelisation”, a Maryknoll priest told local Catholics recently.Interfaith dialogue is building positive relations with people who remain active in their own respective faiths, whereas faith proclamation is communicating the Jesus story and giving witness to our faith, [...]

Archbishop Chia’s interfaith work lauded by religious leaders

“As long as love exists, peace and harmony exist, and God will bless our work.”Shaikh Syed Isa Mohd Bin Semait, the former mufti of Singapore, made this comment at a dinner honouring Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia.Some 40 representatives from various religions, including council members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), gathered at the Jesuit Novitiate for [...]

Australian interfaith delegates call on Archbishop Chia

Several delegates from an Australian interfaith group visited Archbishop Nicholas Chia at his residence on May 27.The 10 delegates, comprising community leaders and representatives from the Christian, Baha’i, Muslim and Buddhist faiths, were from Toowoomba, Queensland.They are members of the Toowoomba Goodwill Committee. […]

Interfaith ceremony remembers AIDS victims

JOHOR BAHRU – Representatives of various religions gathered at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Johor Bahru to remember those who had died from HIV/AIDS.The April 22 memorial ceremony was organised by the Catholic Aids Ministry (CAM).Attendees included representatives of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and a [...]

Interfaith forum on HIV/AIDs

Buddhists view PLWHAs as their brothers and sisters and treat them with unconditional love and compassion. – Mr Henry Baey, president of the Buddhist FellowshipMuslim, Buddhist and Catholic representatives share how their religions view the conditionAn interfaith forum, comprising representatives from the Muslim, Buddhist and Catholic faiths, discussed how their religions view HIV/AIDS and care [...]

Interfaith seminar to focus on silence, meditation

Fr Laurence Freeman is scheduled to lead Common Ground, a seminar on the contemplative dimension of faith. CNS file photoAn interfaith programme focusing strongly on silence and meditation will be held over two days in January.Common Ground, the name of the Jan 7-8 seminar, will be led by Fr Laurence Freeman, director of The World [...]

Interfaith group seeks end to US bases

TOKYO – A new interfaith lobby group says it is time for the US presence on Okinawa to end and has pledged to galvanise the nation into pressing for the closure of military bases there.“Japan has enjoyed peace for over 60 years, but the war has still not ended in Okinawa,” said Bishop Toshio Oshikawa [...]