Reflections on Hope and Resilience

Faith and political leaders reflect on the resilience and hope of faith communities during the pandemic

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese have united to support ACU’s new interfaith publication, Reflections on Hope and Resilience, released this week.

The volume features prayers, readings and reflections from 25 faith and community leaders representing 14 different religious traditions, including Catholic, Anglican, Baha’i, Baptist, Buddhist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Salvation Army, Sikh, and Uniting Church.

While uniquely reflecting their own faith traditions, the short contributions are united by their sense of optimism as Australia emerges out of the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a foreword for the publication, the Hon. Prime Minister Scott Morrison recognises the role of faith communities in providing support and care throughout these difficult times.

“Our faith communities – through acts of compassion and concern – seek to bridge the gaps of human need in our free society,” he writes.

Likewise, the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP in his foreword observes the importance of our common humanity, reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan and its message “that we shouldn’t walk past those who are in need or suffering; that our care for others should be neither conditional nor transactional; and that we should be driven by our own humanity”.

Since 2014, ACU has had a tradition of bringing together parliamentarians and community leaders at an annual Parliamentary Interfaith Breakfast, an event routinely attended by Prime Ministers, Premiers and Opposition Leaders.

While the pandemic saw the event cancelled in 2020 and 2021, Vice-Chancellor Professor Zlatko Skrbis said the collection of prayers and readings was designed to maintain the sense of connection between faith communities even as they were unable to gather in person.

“I hope this interfaith publication, with its rich and moving words, brings all Australians joy and a sense of connection at a time when so many of us have had to be disconnected from one another,” Professor Skrbis said.

“During the darkest moments of the pandemic, our faith communities rallied together to provide support to Australia’s most disadvantaged, and to each other, in ways that provided hope and encouraged resilience in the face of the challenges.”

Electronic copies of the publication are available at www.acu.edu.au/interfaith. Hard copies are also available by contacting interfaith@acu.edu.au.