Projects

The 50 years’ celebration of the proclamation of the Document Nostra Aetate, 28 October 2015, proved to be an event of profound significance for Inter-Religious Dialogue throughout the world including Australia. It was a valiant effort to redirect
the focus of all people of good will to the content of this document and reignite in them the energy and commitment to reopen its pages and take up the challenge of spreading its message amongst us.

Following the memorable event in the Great Synagogue in 2015 and the signing of the commitment, the Archdiocese, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, Australian
Catholic University and Australian Jewry have worked together towards realization in practice of the pledges recorded in the document.

For several years round table discussions were arranged focusing on current issues of mutual concern, always in the context of Nostra Aetate.

Out of this context emerged the prospect of engaging the Educational resources of our Catholic and Jewish Schools as well as our Tertiary Institutions, to study and reflect on
the joint commitment of 2015 and work together with us to forge a pathway forward.

In 2020 the Nostra Aetate Working Party was convened and endorsed by-the Signatories to drive the project forward.
The original 8 members of the Working Party remain unchanged. Their networking seeks out and engages the support of an increasing number of Scholars, Academics
and Educators to contribute to the work.

In 2022 a pilot programme was launched as the first stages of a concrete effort to make a difference and build cooperation in the spirit of Nostra Aetate.
The programme, held online, was  designed specifically for teachers involved in core curriculum in their schools, with the intention that participants in the pilot programme will play
a key role in future development of the project. More information about the pilot programme can be found on our resources page. To stay in the loop or to participate in future programmes please contact ACEIR and we will get back to you as soon as possible

On 4th February 2019, Australian Catholic University hosted, on behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference a memorable Interfaith gathering of Muslims from many Communities, Leaders and Representatives from other faiths including
Jewish, Bahai, Hindu and Buddhist as well as Leaders and Representatives from other Christian denominations.

The purpose of this Inter-religious gathering was to recognize and applaud together the courage and compassion of Pope Francis for his apostolic journey to the United Arab Emirates to meet with the Muslim Council of Elders. After the meeting a document was issued and signed by Pope Frances the leader of the Universal Catholic Church and his Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb.

In solidarity with this mission, and sponsored by the Archdiocese of Sydney, representatives of the Catholic and Muslim communities in Sydney, together with Catholic and Muslim educators, signed a commitment to work together most especially in the area of education. This commitment can be found here.

Various factors including Covid have slowed developments regards the implementation of this Muslim Catholic Commitment.
However, in 2022, members of ACU visited Al-Faisal College to reaffirm the commitment. Further, concrete, developments are currently being undertaken and will be announced as soon as possible.