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CATHOLIC priest Father Bob Maguire has called for a review into the way religion is taught in schools.

The priest and community worker said he believed religious education should be broader than instruction in one belief system.

RELIGIOUS education in state schools must be replaced by a multifaith version that includes different ethical traditions and be taught by trained teachers rather than volunteers, says a new network of academics. The Religions, Ethics and Education Network Australia (REENA) has written to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell and the respective education ministers seeking an urgent review of religious education so changes can be included in the new national curriculum.

Religious and spiritual leaders came together to offer prayers and chants at an interfaith ceremony for the people of Japan following the Great East Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11.  The Ceremony was held on Saturday April 9 at BMW Edge, Federation Square. The Acting Consul-General of Japan, Melbourne, Mr Yasufumi Kotake, spoke about the worst natural disaster in Japan’s history, the subsequent trouble of the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the death toll over 12,000 with 18,000 people still missing, and the likelihood of the casualty list exceeding 30,000.

Brussels - the capital of the Belgians and of 500,000,000 Europeans - has been chosen as the host city of the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 2014. The selection of Brussels was made by the Board of Trustees of the governing organization at its March 13, 2011 meeting in Chicago.

Report on the JCMA Women's Conference (March 13-15th)

A model for a more peaceful world

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, has written an inspirational book, The Dignity of Difference, in which he argues that God created a world rich in a diversity of cultures, faiths, and civilizations, one world in which we must all work for peace together. Sacks sees the only way to achieve this most desired goal is through conversation.

A Report on 'Women in Islam' (Harmony Day) Event on March 20th

In Celebration of Harmony Day, Frankston Interfaith Network (FIN) hosted 'Women In Islam' event at Frankston Library Sunday 20th March. 

Special thanks to the Mayor of Frankston City Council, Cr Kristopher Bolam, for an opening address and to Nasirah Cavanery, one of our FIN group members, who agreed to present some of her faith’s traditions around an Islamic marriage and women in Islam.   

Love of God and Love of the Neighbour or Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour

Professor David de Kretser, AC, Governor of Victoria, accompanied by Mrs de Kretser, launched the World Interfaith Harmony Week in Melbourne at a luncheon for over 80 religious and spiritual leaders, in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House on the 1st February. The Hon. Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria, sent a congratulatory message to be read out to the guests.

The first Religion and Education in Multifaith Australia Roundtable, hosted by the UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations - Asia Pacific, Monash University, Religions for Peace, Australia and the Together for Humanity Foundation, was held at Monash University on the 2nd December 2010. This symposium was convened to mark the one-year anniversary of the 2009 Melbourne Parliament of World’s Religions. The second Religion and Education in Multifaith Australia Roundtable was convened by the Centre for Research on Social Inclusion, Macquarie University on the 21st February 2011.