Governor-General Samantha Mostyn reached out to the nation’s faith groups, hosting a dinner on Monday for leaders of various religious traditions at her residence in Sydney. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
The gathering was co-chaired by the NSW Faith Affairs Council and Better Balanced Futures, with Catholic faith representatives including Sydney Archdiocese’s Monica Doumit, Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Melkite Charitable Foundation director Monica Chahoud, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Interfaith Commission chair Kate Xavier.
After the Bondi massacre on December 14, there has been an intense debate about religious extremism, antisemitism, hate speech, gun control, and racial vilification.
Religious leaders have been at the centre of the controversy.
At the dinner, Ms Mostyn affirmed the vital role faith communities play in Australia’s multicultural and multi-faith society.
She emphasised the freedom to practise faith, the importance of contributing positively to civic life, and the central role of education in fostering understanding and social cohesion.
The shared meal symbolised openness, trust and a collective responsibility to the nation.
An expression of this is a new initiative called “Choose a Mitzvah” (a good deed), which was formally launched at the gathering.
The initiative encourages all Australians to commit to one of 15 good deeds – such as volunteering, giving blood or donating – in honour of the 15 victims. This initiative was developed by rabbinical leaders and has the unanimous support of the Faith Affairs Council members.
FULL STORY
Governor-General affirms faith communities’ role after Bondi attack (By Marilyn Rodrigues and Michael Cook, The Catholic Weekly)
