Number 58 March 2013EDITORIAL

There are two basic forces that run our lives and our world, fear or love. Most of us are a mixture of the two, sometimes in fruitful tension, but often one is stronger, and occasionally even takes over completely.

There will be a Federal election on 14 September. Already, we can detect an increase in the politics of fear. Asylum seekers are again demonised. A new political party has arisen with a platform opposing multiculturalism. A visiting politician from Europe has expressed negative views about Muslim migration. Such fear-driven attitudes are contrary to our Australian ethos of a “fair go”. Yes, from time to time there can be ethnic and interreligious tensions on particular matters, but by and large, Australians do multiculturalism quite well.

The other, the unknown, the stranger, can be an occasion of fear. But St Columban, the patron of our Mission Society, saw differently. Instead of fear, he saw opportunity. He said: “A life unlike your own can be your teacher.” When we reach out to others, when we show hospitality, when we show respect and concern, most often we receive love in return, abundantly.

For generations, Australia has been a successful multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious society. We wish to affirm and support the positive attitudes that make this possible, so we dedicate this issue of Bridges to the theme of Harmony.

The government motto for Harmony Day to be celebrated on 21 March is “everyone belongs”. This sentiment echoes the Aboriginal text from Dadirri cited on The Golden Rule Poster: “All persons matter. All of us belong.” This is the inclusive vision we sing in our national anthem, Advance Australia fair!

From time to time concerned citizens e-mail me about riots and violence in other countries. They are genuinely concerned that wrongs are being done that need to be righted. Yes, terrible things are done, sometimes in the name of God, and the victims deserve justice, but sometimes the reports are overly sensationalised. Most often, those events have already been reported in the news, so I wonder why it is necessary to repeat them, especially as the terrible acts of a tiny minority do not represent the vast majority of the members of that group. Such misrepresentation too is an injustice!

However, rarely does anyone send me good news! Isn’t it odd that we are more fascinated with

evil than with good? Spending more time and energy on the negatives rather

than on the positives?

Coptic Christians in Egypt have a long history of being persecuted by extremists, so I was all the more delighted to receive the following report: On Coptic Christmas, Imam Mazhar Shaheen of the Omar Makram Mosque visited the Pastor of the

Qasr Al-Dubarah Church, Samih Morees, along with a thousand

Muslims to extend greetings to their Christian neighbours. His message was

a resounding clarion call for tolerance, respect, dignity, humanity and unity amidst difference and tumult.” The emotion of the visit is palpable. I invite you to view it at http://bit.ly/W57rVu. It will renew your faith in humanity. The Imam’s words resonate with the same inclusive values that we in Australian hold dear. It is why we signed the NSW multicultural affirmation (p. 5). It is why we need not fear Islam but can learn from it (p. 6). It is “orthopathy” made visible (p. 7). It is what fosters peace (p. 7). May love prevail over fear and generate peace and harmony in our society and in our world.

Patrick J McInerney (Editor)

New Staff Member at Centre

In January we welcomed a new staff member to the Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations. Ashleigh Green will be working in the Centre for three days a week and her work will include developing new relationships with Muslim women and with youth. Ashleigh is in her final year studying Media and Communicat ions at the University of Sydney. She has

spent time in India doing photojournalism, and Ashleigh will bring her media skills to the centre.

Wollongong Parish

Fr Patrick McInerney and Fr Brian Vale visited Wollongong on 1 December 2012 at the invitation of a Christian group who have built relations with the local Muslim community. Fr Patrick addressed the mixed audience on the topic of “Respect”, basing his presentation on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

Cross Cultural Summer School

Fr Brian Vale assisted Sr Annie Bond in coordinating another Cross Cultural Summer School for nine participants at the Josephite Sisters’ Baulkham Hills Centre for Reflective Living from 19-28th January. This year the participants were all religious women apart from one priest, and about half were recent arrivals in Australia. The input included Aboriginal and Australian culture, intercultural sensitivity and understanding, the psychology of worldviews, mission theology and spirituality, and professional standards in the Australian Church.

World Interfaith Harmony Week

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) celebrated UN World Interfaith Harmony Week on 4 February with a conference on the theme “Beyond Dialogue – What Direction Should the Interfaith Movement Take from Here?” Challenging the title, Fr Patrick McInerney proposed that we have not gone “beyond dialogue”, but need to go deeper into dialogue. Nith Chittasy from the Lao Buddhist Society, Ali Khalfan, a Muslim lecturer, and Greg Stone, President of UPF, also added their perspectives. The different presentations were much appreciated by the audience.

Hira Conference

On 9 February, Fr Patrick McInerney, Fr Brian Vale and Ashleigh Green attended the 2013 Hira Conference at the Novotel, Parramatta. The Conference was hosted by the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy of Australia (ISRA) and its theme was “The Way of the Prophet: From an Ideal Human to an Ideal Society”. Speakers came from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Turkey and Australia, and they spoke about how the teachings of the Prophet are relevant in society today.

Ela Gandhi lecture

On 28 February, Soka Gakkai International Australia invited Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, to the Australia Cultural Centre in Homebush to deliver Daisaku Ikeda Peace Lecture. Fr Patrick McInerney, Fr Brian Vale and Ashleigh Green were present at the evening as Ela spoke about non-violence as an ideal method for dealing with issues in today’s world. She spoke with great humility as she expressed her desire for peace and justice.

Sydney Pastoral Associates

The Association of Sydney Pastoral Associates is a key group in the church, connecting the grass roots of the parish with the various sacramental and formation programmes. On 28 February Fr Patrick McInerney gave them input on Interreligious Dialogue. He provided an overview of the Church’s historical attitudes towards other religions, current Catholic teaching, description of dialogue and practical tips, concluding with dialogue and proclamation in the New Evangelisation. The Pastoral Associates expressed eagerness to implement these ideas in their parishes.

2

NEWS FROM THE CENTRE

Australia Day Awards

We are delighted that in the Australia Day Awards the Government has seen fit to acknowledge people who have contributed to our society through the promotion of interfaith relations. The recipients are: • Mustafa Abbas Ally, Medal of the Order of Australia • Gary Bouma, Member of the Order of Australia • Marianne Dacy, Member of the Order of Australia • James Haire, Companion of the Order of Australia • Rev Roger Herft, Member of the Order of Australia• Abdullah Saeed, Member of the Order of AustraliaWe congratulate the recipients on this well-deserved recognition and thank them for their contribution.

Climate Change

At the UN climate conference held in Doha, Qatar in December 2012, nearly 200 countries were trying to forge a joint plan to fight global warming, which climate activists say is the greatest modern challenge to humankind. However, in the city’s mosques the issue barely rated a mention in Friday prayers. Climate activists lamented that although the Quran is filled with more than 1,500 verses to nature and earth, the voice of Islamic leaders is missing from the global dialogue on warming. The Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change has been endorsed by many organisations and individuals across all traditions. Muslims are getting involved and can do more, especially since the use of religious texts proves very effective in changing behaviour in relation to protecting the environment. See http://huff.to/XeXZjR

Women of the Arab Spring

While some fear that the Arab Spring may be becoming an Arab Autumn, that new regimes are not fulfilling the hopes and expectations of the people, still the voice of women raised in the protests continues to reverberate. “The biggest lesson women learned was the collective self-confidence that comes from experience – the experience of successful participation in the public sphere; experience of empowerment as their voices were heard, even in Saudi Arabia where King Abdullah recently announced double the expected number of women for appointment to the Shura Council (Saudi Arabia’s top consultative body); the experience of becoming agents of positive change bringing attention to issues ranging from environmental concerns to creating a culture of volunteerism; and the experience of standing together with men working toward collective, national goals.” For more stories see:http://bit.ly/XDCLJM http://bit.ly/YI11dB http://bit.ly/WlzUTT

Saudi Interfaith Centre in Vienna

The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) was opened in Vienna on the 26th of November 2012. The Board has very high level representation from the spectrum of religions. “This is the first multifaith initiative from a Muslim source, and not just any source, but from the very hardcore heartland of Islam,” said Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs of the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Some commentators have noted the irony of openness abroad and repression at home, but it is evident that the Saudi monarch is treading along the path of reform for the desert kingdom. For the Centre and related stories see:http://www.kaiciid.org/en/ http://huff.to/Z4hkAo http://bit.ly/12UTHRJ http://huff.to/URe1ds http://bit.ly/15XTH2V http://bit.ly/Wv9T4g

Cardinal Sandri Visits Mosque

Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri’s visit to the largest mosque in Kirkuk was considered an “historic event”. The Imam appreciated the “Christian presence” in Iraq because “we are brothers and sisters, without difference and we must live in harmony”. “All of us, Christians and Muslims” - said the Vatican Prefect – “we must work together to establish peace and respect for the rights of all. In this sense, it is essential the work of Iraqi Christians, who “must remain in the country “and live” in full human dignity.” For full story see: http://bit.ly/TXHGSX

3

NEWS FROM THE WORLD

Bishop Kenneth Cragg RIP

The Rt Rev Kenneth Cragg has died aged 99. He was a pioneer in Christian-Muslim Relations. He was a scholar of Arabic, appreciating the nuances of the language, which he conveyed to his readers. The author of more than 40 books, his writings were classic texts which served to promote understanding of and sympathy for Muslims and Jews. He held high positions in academia and the church, serving in various capacities, including Assistant Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem. For obituaries see: http://bit.ly/15XVFjI http://bit.ly/TTY8EJ

As we go to print the Catholic Church’s cardinals are gathered in Rome to elect a new pope. Hopes are high that the new pope will continue to progress the Church’s relations with other faiths. This transition provides an opportunity to reflect on Pope Benedict’s stance on interreligious relations. On taking office as the new bishop of Rome Benedict XVI indicated his determination to follow in John Paul II’s footsteps. It would be fair to say he did not advance interreligious relations much beyond those of his predecessor. He certainly affirmed Nostra Aetate, Vatican II’s ground breaking document on improving its relations with other faiths, both in words and actions. As Cardinal Ratzinger he had a good record of promoting positive relations between Jews and Christians and this continued during his papacy. The Israeli Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger did say recently that the two faiths have their best relations ever. Pope Benedict called the Jewish faith “Christianity’s older brother” and in his book Jesus of Nazareth he presents Judaism in positive terms, among other things asserting that Christians should not be trying to convert Jews.

Pope Benedict did much travelling in his eight years in the papacy but his interest was focused on the Christian re-evangelization of Europe. In interreligious relations his main concern seemed to be religious freedom and an emphasis in his addresses on faith and reason as against religion and violence. He seemed to shift the Vatican focus from interreligious dialogue to what he called “inter-cultural dialogue”, calling on Catholics and Muslims especially to work together to counteract the use of religion as a cause of violence.

He signalled this early in his papacy in his meeting with representatives of some Muslim communities on 20 August 2005 in Cologne when he said: “Interreligious and intercultural dialogue between Christians and Muslims cannot be reduced to an optional extra. It is in fact a vital necessity, on which in large measure our future depends.”

During his travels in Muslim majority countries Pope Benedict prayed silently in mosques with Imams and Muftis in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Jerusalem which gained him much respect amongst Muslims.

It was an earlier return to his former university and family home in Regensburg in September 2006 to give a public lecture entitled “Faith, Reason and the University: Memories and Reflections” where he created some controversy. During the address he quoted from a fourteenth-century Byzantine Emperor’s critique of Islam which caused offence to many Muslims throughout the world and even occasioned some violence. Benedict apologised at least twice and said the quote did not reflect his personal thoughts, but it would have been better if he had previously consulted an Islamologist.

One year later 138 Muslim scholars issued an open letter entitled “A Common Word Between Us and You,” addressed to Benedict XVI and the leaders of

other Christian churches. This was a very significant document as it was the first time that Muslims from various groups issued a global statement in one voice. The document points out that the Bible and the Qu’ran teach love of God and love of neighbour as foundational, such that Christians and Muslims need to work together for meaningful peace in the world. The Vatican responded by establishing a Catholic-Muslim Forum which has already met twice. Some would point to a shift in the Vatican toward a greater concentration on Catholic-Muslim relations which may have been sparked by the Regensburg controversy.

In early 2011, to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Day of Prayer for Peace initiated by John Paul II in 1986, Benedict XVI invited leaders of other religions and non-believers to meet in Assisi on 27 October 2011. The theme was “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace.” Dermot Lane in his recent book Stepping Stones to Other Religions, A Christian Theology of Inter-Religious Dialogue (Orbis Books, 2011) commented: “Many will welcome the question posed by Benedict about the true nature of religion, the inclusion of non-believers in the dialogue, the recognition of the contribution that agnostics can make to dialogue, the clear separation of religion from violence, and the appreciation that all are pilgrims of truth and of peace. (p. 87) However, one noticeable difference in the programme was the lack of public prayer.

Pope Benedict’s theological precision sharpened reflection on the nature of dialogue, that it is aimed at truth (Meeting with Other Religions, USA, 17/04/08), which he re-affirmed in his Address to the Roman Curia on 21 December 2012: “the search for knowledge and understanding always has to involve drawing closer to the truth. Both sides in this piece-by-piece approach to truth are therefore on the path that leads forward and towards greater commonality, brought about by the oneness of the truth.”

We thank Pope Benedict for his contribution to interreligious dialogue, wish him well for his retirement and look forward to building on his legacy with his successor to the Petrine office.

4

POPE BENEDICT AND INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE By Fr Brian Vale

New South Wales is a multicultural and multi-faith society in which racial, religious and linguistic diversity is embraced as a strength. This vibrant diversity has generated social, cultural and economic benefits for all of the state’s citizens. The community holds a diversity of views and beliefs, observes many different cultures and traditions and speaks a wide range of languages. The 2011 ABS Census illustrated our cultural diversity: In New South Wales 31.4% of people were born overseas; 48.1% had at least one parent born overseas; 27.5% speak a language other than English at home; and 129 different faiths are followed.

Community harmony in New South Wales is strengthened by a long-standing, shared commitment across government, community and business to respect and embrace difference, to respond appropriately to unjust treatment and vilification, and to recognise and celebrate our common bond as proud Australians.

We have a collective responsibility to respect fellow citizens and preserve the social cohesion that characterise New South Wales as a great society.

We also encourage genuine and constructive engagement and dialogue as a means to achieving greater understanding and acceptance of diversity.

We welcome challenging ideas and debate which does not incite hatred and animosity towards specific cultural or faith-based communities. All people of New South Wales have a right to practice their faith and observe their cultural traditions and languages free from discrimination or vilification.

This statement is endorsed by the following organisations and individuals (in alphabetical order): • Affinity Intercultural Foundation• Amitabha Buddhist Association of New South Wales• Australian National Imams Council• Columban Mission Institute• Islamic Council of NSW• Standing Committee on Interfaith Dialogue for the World Fellowship of Buddhists• The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay• The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT

5

An alliance of organisations and individuals from across New South Wales have united to re-affirm their support of the state’s multicultural and multi-faith community.

This is their joint statement in response to the Geert Wilders visit to Australia to spread bigotry and disharmony.

Harmony Day 2013: Many Stories – One Australia

Australia’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are.

We all make up the pages of a bigger Australia and we all have a story to tell.

We invite you to tell your story with each other – in workplaces, on social network sites, at schools or within communities.

You may also choose to share your story with all Australians by taking a photo, filming a video, or writing an article.

Share your story today. Email: harmonyday@immi.gov.au

See: http://www.harmony.gov.au/

MEDIA RELEASE: NSW ALLIANCE AFFIRMS MULTICULTURAL SUCCESS

As an imam at a mosque in the Jordanian capital Amman, I have been following the dramatic developments across North Africa and the Middle East with a combination of high hopes and grave concern. The phenomenon of young people organising peacefully to demand political reform, economic opportunity and human rights is a source of pride for me; numerous worshippers in my mosque are among them. On the other hand, the mounting lethality of conflict between state and society in so many Arab countries is terrible to behold. So is the tragedy of burgeoning crime, economic struggles and insecurity in countries such as Egypt that are undergoing dramatic transformations. In these riveting times, the role of Islam is essential and Arab societies seem to know it. I can tell just from the growing number of worshippers in my mosque, which overflows every Friday during weekly prayers. Young people draw comfort and inspiration from Islam as they face an uncertain future. At the same time, political analysts – both within Arab societies and in the world at large – are raising concerns about the role of so-called “Islamist” groups in the on-going political transitions. Members of my own congregation often ask me for counsel on this issue. In response, through sermons every Friday as well as more intimate conversations, I have been trying to articulate the distinctions that will be necessary to ensure that the tenets of Islam are properly applied – and that the language of Islam is not co-opted by opportunistic political movements. In the present state of flux in North Africa and the Middle East, there is robust competition for political popularity in a new marketplace of ideas. When assessing any political figure or movement claiming to draw legitimacy from Islam, one should pose several questions and demand unambiguous answers. The first question is: do you support equal political, social and economic rights for all citizens of your country, regardless of ethnicity, gender or sect? The answer should be yes. The Qur’an and prophetic traditions present a vision of social justice in all its forms – not only for men but also for women; not only for Arabs but also for other ethnic groups; and not only for Muslims but for all humankind. This is my conviction as a lifelong student of Islam. The texts that prove this are many, but suffice it to say that the Qur’an’s vision of equity and justice is addressed not to any subset of humankind but to all “Children of Adam” (7:26).Over the centuries, interpretations of Qur’an and prophetic tradition have varied, and some of these interpretations have been incompatible with essential Qur’anic values. The most accurate interpretation would never differ with the principle of universal equity and justice – nor deny political or economic opportunity to anyone. Such an interpretation can

and should be achieved by the principal of ijtihad, the practical application of the human mind to the world’s ever-changing circumstances.

The second question is: do you believe that Islam is compatible with a definition of the rule of law that transcends a particular religion’s jurisprudential precepts? The answer should be yes. From a contemporary Islamic perspective, sharia is not a document that supplants the legal system of a given country. To the contrary, it is a set of principles that demand of believing Muslims that they respect the laws of the country in which they live, provided that the laws are compatible with the universal values of social equity and human rights. Moreover, in the event that a given law is inequitable or unjust, sharia demands that believing Muslims work within a legal and democratic framework to amend the law. Islam stresses the principle of shura, or consultation, as a means of reaching decisions that affect the body politic. Those “whose affairs are a matter of counsel” (42:38) are considered to be worthy of a divine reward. Finally, the third question is: do you maintain that your political platform is a flawless rendering of the precepts of Islam? The answer should be no. The Qur’an attests to the fact that humankind, granted worldly power, is prone to error and corruption: “[Humankind is liable to] break the covenant of God after ratifying it, and sever that which God ordered to be joined, and make mischief in the earth” (2:27). Islam, for its part, is innocent of the errors of those who presume to interpret or apply it. Because it is hubristic and suspect to suggest that someone is without flaw, it is equally hubristic and suspect to claim to speak in the name of Islam. Moreover, to claim to speak in the name of Islam is to assert superiority over other political platforms – a position that leads to totalitarianism. Islam, as I understand it, demands that humankind negotiate over difference and govern consensually. There are no modern-day prophets or rightly-guided caliphs. We must endeavour to collaborate in healing our region and the world as best we can.

6

LOOKING BACK: THREE QUESTIONS FOR ISLAMISTS by Mustafa Husayn Abu Rumman

Mustafa Husayn Abu Rumman is the Imam of the Ibn Sinan Mosque in Amman, Jordan.

Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 20 September 2011,www.commongroundnews.org

Paul Louis Metzger and John W. Moorehead have posted an interesting article under the above title which challenges evangelical Christians to move beyond their suspicions and fears of Muslims in order to promote greater understanding in the pursuit of peace. Unlike many U.S. evangelical Christians the authors are confident that “most Muslims in the U.S. seek to live out their Muslim faith in ways that affirm and resonate with American values.”

They say: “First, we believe that the Evangelical encounter with Islam must not be driven primarily by fear or by a concern for orthodox doctrine (important as that is), but instead by orthopathy. Orthopathic theology refers to the emotional aspect of the Christian life, and while Evangelicals often put great emphasis on orthodoxy (sound doctrine) and orthopraxy (right practice), we sadly neglect orthopathy as the driving force that flows from the command to love God and neighbour (Mk. 12:30 31).”

They suggest that a “hermeneutic of suspicion must give way to a biblical hermeneutic framed by the love of God” and refer the reader to John Morehead’s edited volume, Beyond the Burning Times: A Pagan and Christian in Dialogue by Philip Johnson and Gus diZerega for an Evangelical approach to interreligious dialogue that “weaves together the way of Christ, love for our neighbour, and the art of hospitality.” The call is “to love our Muslim neighbours as ourselves and rediscover a theology and practice of orthopathy that complements and supports biblical orthodoxy.”

They describe biblical orthopathy in this way:

“Why should we expect that Muslims along with others would ever take to heart what we have to say if we don’t take them to heart? A change in their negative perceptions toward us will not likely occur unless we are willing to change our preconceived assumptions about them. By asking God first and foremost to change our hearts, we Evangelical Christians will be in a much better position to see Muslims for who they truly are rather than what we in fear make them out to be.”

For the full article we refer you to:http://bit.ly/UZQAAy.

Many of us are aware of brave people working for peace between Israelis and Palestinians in various ways that do not reach the main media outlets. For example, in the midst of the combat last year Israelis and Palestinians marched together for a ceasefire. For information on that event we refer you to an article by Yonathan Listik: http://bit.ly/XSKsuo

Other peacemakers use Facebook and other social media to reach across borders electronically and make it clear that politicians are not speaking for them. We refer you to another article: http://bit.ly/TZqrAx

Kadi (Judge) Iyad Zahalka of the Jerusalem Muslim Sharia Court of the S++++tate of Israel, and Ron Kronish, a Reform rabbi, educator and director of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel recently wrote about their speaking tour in the United States where they talked about the “other peace process.” For the full article we refer you to: http://bit.ly/ZIDDAS

They describe their work as different from the political peace process: “In our interreligious work in Israel, we have been connecting people through dialogue and educational programs for many years. We bring together religious leaders, educators, women, youth and young adults for long-term (at least 10 months and sometimes for up to 4 years) substantive and sensitive encounters with each other.

All our programmes share four stages: 1) getting to know the other well as a human

being, created in the Divine Image, 2) studying each other’s sacred texts, 3) discussing core issues of the conflict and 4) taking action in our communities, separately

and together.

While it is not always easy to sustain the energy and optimism to keep going, interreligious and intercultural dialogue is an essential ingredient for a lasting peace. Peace is not a matter just for the politicians. Those of us involved in interreligious dialogue reach people at the grassroots level and can effect a change of consciousness in communities across Israel.”

7

CHALLENGING EVANGELICAL ASSUMPTIONS THE ‘OTHER PEACE PROCESS’

WHAT’S COMING UP

1 March – 28 April: Living in Harmony Festival 2013, The Festival program includes tours which explore Sydney’s multicultural heritage, cultural days, talks, workshops, exhibitions and panel discussions. (Sydney) http://bit.ly/WQ9n03

1 – 28 March: Faith 2 Faith: Art in Public Spaces Exhibition, Faith 2 Faith includes artworks that express the features, benefits and challenges of interfaith dialogue. (Sunshine, Victoria)

21 March: Harmony Day, Australia http://www.harmony.gov.au/ 19 March: Forum: Sydney’s Changing Multicultural Mix, Trends and Stats from Census 2011 (Redfern,

NSW) http://bit.ly/VYqz7v 21 March: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, http://bit.ly/cfV6Rz 21 – 23 March: Peace Education Forum: Building Bridges, Sharing Ideas (Toowoomba)29 March: Good Friday (Western Christian) Anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ31 March: Easter Sunday (Western Christian) Resurrection of Jesus Christ05 April: International Golden Rule Day, http://bit.ly/10aLioA 29 April – 1 May: Mission: One Heart, Many Voices Conference (Sydney) http://mohmv.com.au/

MOHMV is a three day conference for those who are inspired to strive creatively for justice, truth and peace in Australia and globally. The conference will explore issues surrounding leadership, formation, theology and the practice of mission.

5 May: Easter Sunday (Orthodox Christian) Resurrection of Jesus Christ12 May: Ascension (Western Christian) Celebrating Jesus Christ’s ascent into heaven 19 May: Pentecost (Western Christian) Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and followers of Jesus21 May: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, http://bit.ly/aGZOZM ......................................... Help us spread the news about the Centre and BRIDGES and send us the names and addresses of all those who may be interested in subscribing to a hard copy (please complete the form below), or invite them to subscribe directly on-line at http://www.columban.org.au/publications/bridges/index/.

There are no subscription fees for BRIDGES, but a kind donation would be appreciated to help cover the costs of production and postage: Please accept my donation of $ __________

You could also help us save on costs by opting to receive BRIDGES via email.E-mail your request, including your current postal address, to cmr.cmi@columban.org.au or fill out and post the form below.

Would you like to receive BRIDGES regularly? Have you moved? Want to change your subscription? (Please send us your current [and former] contact details)

Name: .............................................................................................................................................

Current Address: ............................................................................................................................

City/Suburb: …………………………….. State: ……………………….. Postcode: …………Telephone: (W) .................................. (H) ................................. (M) .............................................

Email (preferred):……………………………………. .....…………No. of hard copies required: ……………

N.B. If you are already subscribed to BRIDGES but have moved to a new address or want to change your subscription from post to e-mail, please provide your previous address so that we can delete it from our mailing list. Thank you. Previous Address: ..........................................................................................................................

City/Suburb:.…………………………….. State:.……………………….. Postcode:.…………