Update from the Centre for Ecumenical Studies Director

In March I was invited to an interreligious and international Retreat / Conference on the theme of “Spiritual Leadership in a time of Crisis”. It was hosted in Delhi by the gracious Brahma Kumari leadership.

We were looking at how we better offer and integrate spiritual practice with social transformation.

It was an application, therefore, of what we have achieved in terms of ecumenical and interreligious co-operation. We were focused by the serious issues facing our one human family.

In the way of the Spirit, synergies emerged and new initiatives evolved. Specifically, we have begun planning an interreligious Retreat Space for delegates to the next crucial UN meetings as regards Climate Change. This is one of the obvious crisis issues facing humankind and all creation.

Then at the ACC&C this week, I had meetings with our Australian senior diplomats who are involved both in the September UN Leaders Week, called by the UN Secretary General, plus the December UNCOP25 in Chile.

There is broad encouragement for creating a space of silence, reflection and spiritual conversation to support delegates and staff at these crucial next international meetings on Climate Change.

Our partnership already includes the Brahma Kumaris, the Anglican Communion Environment Network and, I expect, will include the WCC with whom I have meetings in May.

Along with this new partnership, I came back from Delhi full of enthusiasm for our capacity to cultivate love and trust together, overcoming issues of hate and fear.

Then the terrorist killed innocent worshippers in NZ Mosques.

As you have seen reported earlier, we all did our best to give our prayerful and loving support to the Muslim community. Since then, I think we have probably all had people tell us what a shocking effect that cruelty had on them...Even yesterday, tears welled up in the eyes of a sensitive soul as she and I recalled Christchurch.

Attached, in this context, is a brief document my friends from Delhi and I have just shaped on “Response Strategies in Critical Times”.

We wrote it specifically for the Victorian context for faith communities and Government. The three-fold Strategy is obviously just as applicable for other States and for Federal Government participation.

We wanted to help us all think about how we better respond to such awful events and how we work together now  to prevent any more of them.

In the period ahead, we will do some advocacy on this, but any thoughts you have on how the Strategy might be clarified or improved would be much appreciated. It is quite succinct, so there is plenty of scope for your suggestions!

So, with these few thoughts, my prayers, as Lent draws us to Easter.

Bishop Philip Huggins.