Cardinal Cormac opens interfaith centre in Australia

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor is officially opening the Australian Catholic University's new Asia-Pacific Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue in Melbourne today. The Centre (APCID), which aims to promote mutual tolerance between followers of all faiths, will be opened at St Patrick's Melbourne Campus of the Australian Catholic University. Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Sheehan said the launch of APCID is a significant milestone and an opportunity for members of all faiths across Australia and the Asia-Pacific to meet and develop cooperative links. "APCID has been established with tangible aims to ensure it not only provides a forum for dialogue, but is also a vehicle that can foster real mutual understanding and respect." The Professor said the establishment of the Centre was very timely. "Recent events across the world continue to reflect the unrest and tension between followers of different faiths. ACU National is honoured to participate in this regional dialogue and play some part in tackling global unrest," he said. Cardinal Cormac arrived in Australia on 25 August. He is staying for two weeks as guest of the three major dioceses. The visit has been scheduled to include a forum and debate with representatives of the local church in Sydney and a public lecture on August 27 in Sydney at the Scots Church Auditorium on the subject of Belief and Being in a Faithless World. Following today's visit to the Australian Catholic University, Cardinal Cormac is due to have meetings with Catholic agencies and take part in a symposium on evangelisation. In Melbourne he will deliver a public lecture on 'The Place of Young People in Our church and the World.' The Cardinal's visit ends with a final public lecture in Brisbane entitled Communion and Mission: priorities for renewal in a Diocese. Source: APCID/ICN