PHOTO BY FIONA BASILE COURTESY OF DAYS IN THE DIOCESES MELBOURNE

The City of Melbourne can justly claim to be of one of the world’s most harmonious and culturally diverse communities. The reason for its rich diversity lies, more than anywhere else, in the many religions it is home to.

The story of Melbourne’s diversity reflects the country’s history of immigration. Today, Australia has the highest percentage of immigrants (more than 25%) than any other country in the world. It is estimated that in Melbourne alone, more than 240 nations are represented, with up to 180 languages spoken and 80 different faiths practiced. Most of that diversity is a result of immigration over the past 50 years, when Australia began to take in large numbers of migrants, first from Europe, then from Asia, and today also from Africa. But the tradition of ‘welcoming the stranger’ in Australia goes back to the gold rush days in the 1850s, when large numbers of prospectors arrived here from all over the world.

The arrival of these immigrants not only signalled the influx of cultures, but also contributed to the many religions Melbourne is home to today. The city is home to Catholics, Anglicans,Presbyterians,Congregationalists, Methodists, Lutherans, Churches of Christ, Baptists and Quakers, as well as Christians belonging to the Eastern rites: Greeks, Syrians, Russians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Assyrians, Armenians, and Copts. The Jews were also among Melbourne’s original settlers and it is interesting to note that Melbourne is home to the largest number of Holocaust survivors outside Europe. Immigrants from the Middle East have brought with them the religions of Islam and Baha’i, while immigrants from Asia have brought Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

The Catholic Church in Melbourne has been a strong supporter of multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue. Over the years, Interchurch Councils were established as well as the Ecumenical Affairs Commission to facilitate the relationship between the Catholic Church and other Christian faiths. It is a fact that on any given Sunday, the Liturgy is not only celebrated in English across Melbourne parishes but also in Italian, Vietnamese, Polish, German, Spanish, Arabic, Indonesian, Chinese, Slovak, Cambodian, Hungarian, Filipino and many more languages.

Catholics in Melbourne approach all these relationships in the spirit of Jesus. We come with something to offer, but also with much to learn! While the dialogue of theology among scholars has its place, most of our encounters are dialogues of life and religious experience. We meet with, converse with, and eat with one another on a regular basis; we exchange greetings with one another on our religious festivals and encounter one another as equals within Australian society.

What is remarkable about the influx of the many cultures, languages, and faiths into Melbourne is that over the years the city has been, and continues to be, a peaceful and harmonious place to live. Diversity has become second nature especially to young people who have grown up in a society where religious differences are not a major issue. There is a great amount of respect among the various faiths and everybody is simply considered Australian.

Days in the Dioceses Melbourne is a perfect opportunity for local and international youth to celebrate their cultural diversity and faith. Melbourne thrives on its diversity and the city is ecstatic to be playing host to yet another monumental event that highlights the rich cultures of the world!