Roundup: Attitudes to homosexuality, Premier meets religious leaders, welcoming and rejecting asylum seekers, praying for peace in Israel and Palestine

Commission raises concerns about sending asylum seekers to Malaysia

The Australian Human Rights Commission recognises the need for regional and international cooperation on asylum seekers and supports the resettling in Australia of an increased number of refugees. 

Pitt Street Church tackles homophobia

Pitt Street Uniting Church will be marking International Day Against Homophobia with a special service on Sunday, May 15. Church minister, the Rev. Ian Pearson, said homophobia “was a sin and in need of healing”.

Conversation with a gay priest

Alison argues these recent scientific revelations are part of the unfolding natural law that challenges negative attitudes and beliefs regarding homosexuality, and the basis for official Church teaching, that being gay is “an objective disorder”.

Australian churches can discriminate against gays

Religious groups in Australia are allowed to discriminate against people who are gay or transgender, prompting criticism from gay rights activists who find it galling that religious social service programs receive millions of dollars in government funding.

Premier hosts religious leaders

The Premier displayed his excellent relationships with a number of the religious leaders, particularly singling out Yeshiva’s Rabbi Pinchus Feldman, Anglican Bishop Robert Forsyth and Uniting Church Moderator the Rev. Niall Reid.

Worldwide just-peace action on Israel and Palestine announced

As part of a week-long series of events to promote a just peace in Israel and Palestine, Palestinians and Israelis will be praying for peace in front of several Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the separation wall and in houses of worship in Jerusalem and across Palestine.

Uniting Church shocked at people swapping plans

The Uniting Church in Australia has today written to all Federal Labor parliamentarians, expressing its shock at the cruel and punitive plan to “swap” refugees with Malaysia.

Uniting Church objects to plans to re-open Manus

The Uniting Church in Australia is dismayed at reports that the Government is planning to re-open the detention centre on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, Uniting Church President, Rev. Alistair Macrae, said today.

Welcome to Australia

Between June 19 and 26, 2011, we’d like to say a big “Welcome to Australia” to asylum seekers, refugees, new arrivals and other migrants. We’d like you to throw a party in your home, street, office, sporting club or other community group to very publicly celebrate the beauty and depth that diversity adds to our nation.