Catholic and Shia Muslim leaders unite to condemn WMDs, terrorism

Shia Muslim religious leaders from Iran and U.S. Catholic bishops say they have a common fight against weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and violent religious extremism.

“Christianity and Islam share a commitment to love and respect for the life, dignity, and welfare of all members of the human community,” they said in an Aug. 18 joint declaration. “Peaceful coexistence is built on equity and justice. We call upon all to work toward developing a culture of encounter, tolerance, dialogue, and peace that respects the religious traditions of others.”

The two delegations agreed that belief in one God unifies Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Continue reading →

Posted on September 2, 2016September 2, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

In a first, US stamp to celebrate a Hindu holiday

The Postal Service will commemorate the joyous Hindu festival of Diwali with a Forever stamp. Photo courtesy of USPS

WASHINGTON (RNS) Never before has a U.S. stamp celebrated anything Hindu.

But coming soon to a post office near you: a stamp marking the Hindu holiday of Diwali.

The new Forever stamp is scheduled to be featured at a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony on Oct. 5 at the Consulate General of India in New York City.

Diwali, or the Hindu festival of lights, is observed across the globe with music, fireworks and dance. It celebrates good triumphing over evil.

The stamp features a photograph of a traditional diya oil lamp, its flame glowing in front of a gold background.

The Hindu American Foundation, which helped lead a campaign for the stamp, said the diya is “the most iconic symbol of the holiday.” Continue reading →

Posted on August 26, 2016August 26, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

Coming soon: a meeting between Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury

Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, will meet in Rome Oct. 5 to celebrate First Vespers in the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio.

Although the meeting hasn’t been made official yet, the news was confirmed to CNA by a high ranking member of the Anglican Communion in Rome. Other sources have since confirmed that the meeting will be held Oct. 5.

While the schedule has yet to be completely defined, Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby are set to meet amid two busy days in Rome for the Anglican primate.

The two will celebrate First Vespers in San Gregorio al Celio Oct. 5. The next day they will have a private meeting that could signal a new phase in ecumenical relations. Continue reading →

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

Jerusalem interfaith event to bring together leaders of Abrahamic faiths

(JNS.org) A new interfaith and spiritual gathering of Christians, Jews and Muslims will take place in Jerusalem this September.

Amen-A House of Prayer For All Believers”, part of the 2016 Mekudeshet Festival from September 4-23, is an initiative created by the Jerusalem Season of Culture, an annual festival in Jerusalem, to bring together the world’s three major faiths “who share a belief in one God and a boundless love for Jerusalem to dialogue, study, sing and pray together in one temporary house of worship,” said a press release.

Continue reading →

Posted on August 25, 2016August 25, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

Evangelical Lutherans Overwhelmingly Vote to Approve Declaration of Unity With Roman Catholics

NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted overwhelmingly last week to approve a declaration of unity with the Roman Catholic Church in an endeavor to “enumerate the many points of agreement between Lutherans and Catholics”—a move that some state is contrary to biblical Christianity.

The “Declaration on the Way” was approved 931-9 during the denominational assembly at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. According to an official press release by the ELCA, members stood and applauded following the vote.

The declaration “seeks to make more visible the unity we share by gathering together agreements reached on issues of church, Eucharist and ministry,” the document outlines. However, it is called “on the way” because “dialogue has not yet resolved all the church-dividing differences on these topics.” Continue reading →

Posted on August 23, 2016August 23, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

Muslims Answered the call to join Catholics at their Sunday Mass

Many Muslims attended church in France this Sunday to show compassion for slain priest, Father Jacques Hamel, and solidarity with their Catholic compatriots.

Nowhere was the emotion stronger than in Rouen Cathedral, near Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, where the elderly priest had his throat slit in church, in the name of ISIL.

“It is the same God. It is the house of God,” said one Muslim woman, among at least 100 who attended the Rouen service in a cathedral packed with nearly 2,000 worshippers.

France’s Muslim Council urged those who follow Islam to attend Mass this Sunday. Continue reading →

Posted on August 5, 2016August 5, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

Muslim Blasts Extremists at Friday Prayer With Christians

Muslims and Catholics joined in Friday prayers at the mosque in the Normandy town where an elderly priest was slain this week, with one imam chastising the extremists as non-Muslims who are “not part of civilization.”

Muslims came from other parts of France for the service shared with Christians.

The killing Tuesday of 85-year-old Rev. Jacques Hamel as he celebrated morning Mass sent shockwaves around France and deeply touched many among the nation’s 5 million Muslims. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as the July 14 truck attack in Nice, where 84 people were killed by a man who plowed his truck down a seaside promenade. Continue reading →

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

LEADERS OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHES IN FRANCE EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

A priest was killed and another person seriously injured when two members from an Islamic extremist group stormed the Church of Saint-Etienne du Rouvray in Normandy, France, on July 26. The assailants slit the throat of Father Jacques Hamel, who was 85 years old.

In response, the Union of Federations of the Adventist Church in France (UFA) issued the following statement: Continue reading →

Posted on August 2, 2016August 2, 2016 by Gospel Order 0

French church attack: Faith leaders call for more security

French religious leaders have called for more security at places of worship following the murder of an elderly priest in Normandy on Tuesday.

Representatives of Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist faiths spoke after meeting President Hollande.

On Wednesday evening Mr Hollande went on to attend a mass for the priest in Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. Continue reading →