Happenings at IRFWP

Here (<-- click) are some events, activities, and visits at IRFWP headquarters and beyond.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka to co-promote Buddhist sites

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- High Commissioner for Pakistan in Sri Lanka Shahzad A. Chaudhry yesterday that the Ghandara heritage in Pakistan is now part of world heritage and we must preserve, protect and exhibit the archaeological findings of Lord Buddha.
"Where Buddhist heritage is concerned it is not only Ghandara which has a 3500 year old history that comes in to focus but more recent findings such as a buried city has been excavated in Balochistan which has a history of 500 years," he pointed out.

This is a part of our combined heritage which we have to share with others he explained.

In fact the entire Ghandara area was a Buddhist region which extended from Taxila in Pakistan to West of Kabul in Afghanistan he pointed out adding that Taxila was a source of Mahayana school of Buddhism and was ruled by many kings and invaders like Alexander the great, Raja Ambi, Chandra Gupta Maurya, Bindusara, Kunala, Kushana, Asoka etc and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Article here

Dalai Lama marks his 73rd birthday

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DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) — Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama marked his 73rd birthday Sunday with a small function, but with the mood dampened by a lack of progress in talks with China.

Officials said the usual cultural performances were not held this year in Dharamshala, a northern Indian hill town and home to the exiled Tibetan government, due to the unrest in Tibet earlier this year

Vatican denounces Anglican decision on women bishops

Statement from the Vatican Information Service here

Vatican Communique on Results of a Vote in Anglican Church

VATICAN CITY, 8 JUL 2008 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a communique released late this morning by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, concerning recent events within the Anglican Communion.

"We have regretfully learned the news of the Church of England vote that paves the way for the introduction of legislation which will lead to the ordaining of women to the episcopacy.

"The Catholic position on the issue has been clearly expressed by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II. Such a decision signifies a break with the apostolic tradition maintained by all of the Churches since the first millennium and is, therefore, a further obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

"This decision will have consequences on the future of dialogue, which had up until now borne fruit, as Cardinal Kasper clearly explained when on 5 June 2006 he spoke to all of the bishops of the Church of England at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It is the opinion of this writer that the Vatican statement is beligerent and lacks elegance. It is fine for the Roman Catholic Church to express its understanding of doctrine, but such an expression should not be presented in a threatening tone. The impact of denominational decisions on dialogue should be expressed quietly among dialogue partners, in a spirit of Christ-like charity, not in blustery, threatening declarations.

Indonesia: Church in West Java Bulldozed

Please continue to pay close and prayerful attention to events and developments in West Java. It is vital to invest in positive interreligious relations and to protect the rights of believers.

JAKARTA - Public Order officials on June 26 demolished a church building in Cimahi regency of Bandung district, West Java, to make way for a new shopping mall and bus terminal after church leaders failed to convince authorities that they owned the land on which it was built...

Since the Indonesian Anglican Church of Cirebeum village was established in 1992 – with a letter of approval from 20 families in the immediate neighborhood – courts have dealt with a succession of people claiming to be the rightful owners of the property. Even as the church building was demolished, a civil tribunal in Bandung district was considering a verdict on rightful ownership following a hearing on June 24.

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Swiss nationalists vote on banning Muslim minarets

Here is an important development that warrants the attention of people interested in the development of positive interreligious relations.

It should be noted that the Swiss People's Party and the fringe Federal Democratic Union are anti-immigrant groups who have sponsored similar campaigns, and generally do not enjoy the favor of most Swiss citizens.

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss nationalists have forced a nationwide referendum on whether to ban the construction of minarets where Muslims issue the call to prayer — a proposal that, if approved, could clash with Switzerland's constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion.

The Interior Ministry said it received a proposal Tuesday with more than the required 100,000 signatures.

It was submitted by members of the nationalist Swiss People's Party and the fringe Federal Democratic Union, who say they are acting to fight the political spread of Islam. They argue that the minaret is a symbol of political and religious claim to power rather than a mere religious sign.
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