The Asia Ecumenical Course: What an experience!

Poulima Salima, a young Samoan man from the Mt Albert Methodist Parish in Auckland attended the Asia Ecumenical Course in April. This included participation in the Christian Conference of Asia General Assembly. He has come back enthused about ecumenism. Some extracts from his presentation to the Mt Albert congregation follow.

The overall theme for the ecumenical course and assembly was Called to prophesy, reconcile and heal. A powerful and purposeful theme that resonated in the hearts of all participants during the course and assembly.

The theme resonated through the music, lyrics, art, performing arts; through testimonies, sharing of faith and reflections, and faith-powered prayers. The theme was very appropriate, reflecting the complex and conflicting Asian realities such as: institutionalised corruption, bad governance, human trafficking, human rights violations, and religious extremism.

All participants including the course leaders were very energetic, courageous and fun to be with! I was amazed with the creativity, passion and enthusiasm, the unity and family spirit within group. It was strong, encouraging and infectious. We had fun learning, speaking and singing in various languages. It was an uplifting experience!

The richness and diverse cultures represented, the uniqueness of languages, and seeing the hearts of all participants worshipping God their way - was an experience to remember. I remember our group preparing for the opening worship for conference. We had to come up with our own cultural dance. The music set-piece was short and catchy so we had to translate it into our own language. The choreography and dance gestures represented the identity of each culture. The power and spirit of the lyrics sung in their respective languages was soul-stirring and edifying. It was a performance to see! We had all the Asian instruments and percussion you could possibly think of to accompany the action songs. Participants were encouraged to wear their cultural costumes, outfits that represented their country and culture.

Some of the church leaders commented that it was the best opening worship service since they had been coming to CCA general assemblies. This was encouraging because all of the ecumenical course participants worked very hard. We wanted to deliver well, and it was important that we did because this was our message to the church leaders: that the up-and-coming ecumenical leaders were just as passionate about the ecumenical movement as they were.

In the evenings before worship at the conference I was inspired by the testimonies from pastors and church ministers who shared their faith, hardship and the darkest moments of their lives, of being beaten and tortured because of their faith in Christ and mission. Hearing them testify about God’s goodness and faithfulness during times of suffering and hardship was inspiring for all participants to carry their cross as well!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Asian Ecumenical Course and the Christian Conference of Asia General Assembly. It was definitely the highlight of my life and the beginning of my ecumenical journey. My prayer for the Methodist Church of Aotearoa-New Zealand is continued unity, celebrating and sharing our diversity, with the purpose of advancing God’s kingdom.

The Methodist Church’s delegates to the CCA General Assembly were Manukau Synod Super-intendent, Prince Devanandan and Te Taha Maori Tumuaki, Diana Tana. Prince was elected to serve on the CCA General Committee which is the oversight body between CCA assembly meetings. Diana has been appointed Moderator of the Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice, & Youth Formation Programme Committee. Prince and Diana are producing a joint written report that is still in process. There will be more news about the CCA Assembly in the June issue of Touchstone the Methodist Church newspaper.

[Source: http://www.methodist.org.nz/mission_and_ecumenical/newsletters_2010]

The Organisational Structure, Committees and Office Bearers of the CCA (Updated since the 13th General Assembly 2010)

The Organisational Structure,
Committees and Office Bearers of the CCA

• Member Churches and Councils
• General Assembly
• General Committee
• Executive Committee

• Officers
• Program Area Committees
• General Secretary
• Executive Staff
• Consultants

Member Churches and Councils

For a full list of member churches and councils see Member Churches and Councils.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the supreme body of CCA. It meets every five years to celebrate the unity of the church in Asia in worship, study and action, and to review and set directions for the work of CCA. The last General Assembly was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in April 2005. See General Assembly.

Officers

Presidium

Fr. Rex REYES, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Dr. K.B. Rokaya, National Council of Churches of Nepal
Ms. Van Arun Rasmey, Kampuchea Christian Council
Ms. Retno Ngapon, Pasundan Christian Church, Indonesia

Honorary Treasurer

Mr. Augustine KARMAKAR, Church of Bangladesh

General Secretary

Dr. Prawate KHID-ARN, Church of Christ in Thailand (until November 2010)
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat LEBANG, Toraja Church, Indonesia (from November 2010)

General Committee

The General Committee has the powers of the General Assembly between meetings of the Assembly. The current membership is:

The Officers (see above)
Rev. Prince Devananda, Methodist Church of Aotaeroa New Zealand
Ms. Svenja von Dietze, The Anglican Church of Australia
Mr. Joyanta ADHIKARY, Bangladesh National Council of Churches
Rev. Lhatru, National Council of Churches in Bhutan
Mr. Phally Som, Kampuchea Christian Council
Rev. PO Kam Cheong, Hong Kong Christian Council
Bishop Philip Phembuar Marandih, The Church of North India
Rev. Gomar Guktom, Communion of Churches in Indonesia
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Armenian Orthodox Church of Iran
Rev. Hiroko Ueda, United Church of Christ in Japan
Rev. KWON Oh Sung, National Council of Churches in Korea
Mr. Kingphet Thammavong, Lao Evangelical Church
Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, Council of Churches of Malaysia
Rev. Saw Shwe Lin, Myanmar Council of Churches
Ms. Tara Bhushal, National Council of Churches of Nepal
Bishop Samuel Azariah, Church of Pakistan
Ms. Johanna May Cantor de la CRUZ, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Ms. Devashire de SILVA, National Christian Council of Sri Lanka
Ms. Natalie (Ming-Chu) LIN, Presbyterian Church of Taiwan
Dr. Penpilai Rithakatanont, Church of Christ in Thailand
Mr. Admin Pinto, Igreja Protestante Iha Timor Lorosae
Rev. Dr. Pradit TAKERANGRANGSARIT, Church of Christ in Thailand

Executive Committee

Fr. Rex REYES, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Dr. K.B. Rokaya, National Council of Churches of Nepal
Ms. Van Arun Rasmey, Kampuchea Christian Council
Ms. Retno Ngapon, Pasundan Christian Church, Indonesia
Mr. Augustine KARMAKAR, Church of Bangladesh
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat LEBANG, Toraja Church, Indonesia
Rev. Dr. Hermen SHASTRI, Council of Churches of Malaysia
Rev. PO Kam Cheong, Hong Kong Christian Council
Ms. Natalie (Ming-Chu) LIN, Presbyterian Church of Taiwan
Rt. Rev. Dr. Philip P. MARANDIH, The Church of North India
Ms. Svenja von DIETZE, The Anglican Church of Australia

Program Area Committees

Program Area Committees are responsible to develop and implement programs in accordance with the mandate of the General Assembly.

Faith, Mission and Unity

Rev. Mangisi Simonrangkir, Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia GKPI (Moderator)
Rev. Tobias BRANDNER, Hong Kong Christian Council
Rev. Subodh Mondal, Methodist church in India
Rev. LEE Se Young, Korea
Rev. Jason Selvaraj, Anglican Church of Malaysia
Rev. Dr. San Myat Shwe, Myanmar
Rev. Pamela TANGKERSLEY, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Rev. Saman PERERA, National Christian Council of Sri Lanka
Rev. Dr. CHU Shu Ping, Taiwan
Ms. Prescila, National Council of Churches in Bhutan
Ms. Kitani Kanan, United Church of Christ in Japan
Ms. Nary Sous, Kampuchea Christian Council
Ms. Anashe Begjannian, Iran

Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service

Ms. Vijula Arulananthan, Sri Lanka (Moderator)
Rev. Timur Citra Sari, Indonesia Christian Church GKI
Rev. HO Baekki, Japan
Rev. BAE Tae-Jin, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
Rev. Saykham Singtthiphon, Lao Evangelical Church
Rev. Augustino de Vasconcelos, Igreja Protestante Iha Timor Lorosae
Ms. Tess KEAM, Uniting Church in Australia
Mr. Rakesh, National Council of Churches in Bhutan
Dr. James Tejos Das, Bangladesh
Mr. Saw George Shey, Myanmar Council of Churches
Dr. Rommel LINATOC, Philippines
Mr. Taweechai Termkunanon, Church of Christ in Thailand
Ms. Shunila Ruth, National Council of Churches in Pakistan

Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment

Rev. Diana TANA, Methodist Church of Aotaeroa New Zealand (Moderator)
Rev. Dr. J Fortis JYRWA, Presbyterian Church of India
Mr. Angus BROWNLIE, The Anglican Church of Australia
Ms. CHUAH Ee Chia, Council of Churches of Malaysia
Mr. Asher Qadir Bakhsh, Church of Pakistan
Mr. Warit Anuchiracheewa, Church of Christ in Thailand
Ms. Araz Khodabakhshian, Armenian Orthodox Church of Iran
Mr. Rajesh Rai, National Council of Churches of Nepal
Mr. Ronald CARIAIG, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Ms. Elora Antonia, Bangladesh
Ms. TONG Wing Sze, Hong Kong Christian Council
Ms. Clare YEH Jia Yann, National Council of Churches of Taiwan
Ms. Elen ira Maia, Igreja Protestante Iha Timor Lorosae

Executive Staff

General Secretary

Dr. Prawate KHID-ARN, Church of Christ in Thailand (until November 2010)
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat LEBANG, Toraja church, Indonesia (from November 2010)

Associate General Secretary (Finance)

Dr. Rienzie PERERA, Anglican Church, Sri Lanka

Joint Executive Secretaries for
Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service

Mr. Charlie O'CAMPO, Uniting Church in Australia
Rev. Freddy de ALWIS, Baptist Church, Sri Lanka

Joint Executive Secretaries for
Faith, Mission and Unity

Dr. Hope ANTONE, United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Rev. PARK Sung Kook, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea

Joint Executive Secretary for
Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment

Ms. Moumita BISWAS, Church of North India

Consultants

Communication

Liza B. LAMIS, Baptist Convention, Philippines

Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment

Mr. Adam ROW, Methodist Church, Malaysia

HIV/AIDS Concerns

Dr. Erlinda SENTURIAS, United Church of Christ in the Philippines

Project Coordinator for Mekong Ecumenical Partnership Programme

Ms Janejinda PAWADEE, Church of Christ in Thailand

The Malaysia Insider: Local church leaders dubious even as PM reaches out

Local church leaders dubious even as PM reaches out

Najib (left) was preaching to the choir, said a local church leader. — Picture by Choo Choy May

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told regional Christian church leaders gathered here today that there was a place in Malaysia for all cultures and religions, but his message appears to have been met with some scepticism.

Church leaders came away from the closed-door lunch address unconvinced, citing recent examples of intolerance such as the controversy over the use of the word “Allah,” the firebombing of churches and the strident rhetoric of newspapers like Utusan Malaysia.

Najib’s message of unity among people of diverse ideologies and cultures was applauded by the Asian church leaders, but their local counterparts felt the words still rang hollow, and expressed doubts that Malaysia was moving from mere tolerance to acceptance and mutual respect as espoused by the prime minister.

Najib had flown from Japan early this morning to fete some 100 church leaders from around the region at the Grand Seasons Hotel here, which, coincidentally, also houses the offices of vocal Malay rights group, Perkasa.

A leading local Christian figure told The Malaysian Insider that Najib was preaching to the choir.

“Utusan Malaysia should be here,” the church leader said on condition of anonymity, referring to the Malay-language national newspaper.

The Umno-owned daily has been at the forefront of criticism against a recent Cabinet-endorsed committee to promote harmony and understanding among religions in Malaysia.

Another local church representative noted that the PM’s speech steered clear of mentioning religion, and focused instead on the social and economic elements to promote unity and mutual understanding among communities from diverse backgrounds.

“He said: ‘There’s a place under the Malaysian sun for everybody’,” the church leader said, citing the PM, but he appeared sceptical of Najib’s sincerity in his own message.

“He may say this here but he likely says something else in front of a different audience,” he pointed out.

“He’s got to add substance to his stand,” he added, noting that as a Malaysian delegate, he was hoping to hear “something more tangible” from the PM.

But the president of the Malaysian Consultative Council on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) Reverend Thomas Philips told The Malaysian Insider that the general assembly was not a suitable platform for the prime minister to speak on national issues, noting the local Christian community had other avenues to engage Najib.

A churchman who asked not to be named said that Najib kept his speech general and repeated his 1 Malaysia concept for the benefit of the regional audience, stretching from Iran to Australia, who had flown in to town for the week-long 13th general assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) which ended yesterday.

Among delegates at the assembly were the newly-elected general secretary of the CCA, Reverend Dr Henriette T. Hutabarat Lebang, who is also the director of the Institut Telogi Gereja Toraja in Indonesia; Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft; and the Vatican’s diplomatic representative to Southeast Asia, Salvatore Pennacchio.

Former general secretary of the CCA, Dr Prawate Khid-Arn, told The Malaysian Insider Najib’s speech was “very encouraging, particularly for other Asian countries”, which, being similarly multicultural, face a struggle to unite the different communities.

“I see Malaysia as more advanced than Thailand in people’s unity,” Khird-Arn said, comparing the situation in his home country to here.

He explained that while religion on its own was not a problem for Thailand, unity was a huge challenge, and pointed to the current riots in its capital, Bangkok.

The Thai church leader said he had been concerned about the religious situation in Malaysia earlier this year, when he heard of the attacks on houses of worship following a controversial High Court ruling over the use of the word “Allah” by a Catholic newspaper.

“But I see Malaysia’s religious situation improving over the last few months,” he said, and expressed confidence that Malaysia’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic community would be able to overcome the divide peacefully.

UCANEWS: CCA calls for peace in conflict zones

CCA calls for peace in conflict zones

Published Date: April 23, 2010

Logo of the Christian Conference of Asia's 13th General Assembly

KUALA LUMPUR (UCAN) — The 13th general assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) ended here with a call to “build communities of peace in Asia, irrespective of class, color or creed.”

In a statement, some 300 participants of the April 15-22 assembly also urged the main protagonists in the Korean War, which began 60 years ago, to scrap the armistice that ended the conflict and to replace it with an official peace treaty.

Some 2.5 million Koreans lost their lives in the war, the statement noted.

It added that a lack of peace has meant that North Korea suffers famine and acute poverty through ongoing sanctions. It called on the United Sates and other countries to lift sanctions imposed on North Korea, which are obstructing the free flow of aid and economic development.

The ecumenical body also called on churches and national church councils to provide humanitarian aid to those suffering in North Korea.

The CCA also expressed concern over tensions between India and Pakistan, where people are not able to live in “peace, hope and fullness due to the ongoing threat of an outbreak of hostilities.”

The general assembly comprises representatives of the CCA’s more than 100 member churches in Asia and Oceania, and 20 national councils. The Armenian Orthodox Church of Iran and the National Council of Churches in Bhutan were among four new members of the assembly.

The CCA’s supreme decision making body gathers every five years.

Meanwhile, at a lunch on April 21, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told the Asian Christians that his government was committed to pluralism and social justice in the Muslim-majority country.

Local media reported that Asian Church leaders applauded Najib’s message, but their Malaysian counterparts were skeptical. They cited recent examples of intolerance such as opposition to the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims, and the firebombing of churches.

AS09518/1598 April 23, 2010 29 EM-lines (306 words)

New leadership for 2010 to 2015

The Rev. Rex RB Reyes, Jr is an Anglican priest and currently the General Secretary of NCC Philippines, the first indigenous person to hold that position. He was formerly the Program Secretary for Christian Unity and Ecumenical Relations of NCC Philippines and also taught Ecumenics at St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary.

 

 

 

The Rev. Ms Retno Ngapon is 28 years old and a pastor of the Pasundan Christian Church in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is currently the Moderator of the Jakarta district of GKP (Gereja Kristen Pasundan) consisting of 12 local congregations.

 

 

 

 

Mr Augustine Karmakar holds a masters degree in accounting from the University of Dhaka and is a partner in a chartered accountants firm. He is also currently the honorary general secretary of the Church of Bangladesh and a member of the NCCB Executive Committee. He has been honorary treasurer of NCCB and of the national council of the YMCA.
He is keen to develop the accounting and financial management system of CCA and find creative means to raise funds in addition to promoting CCA Sunday and focusing on members’ contributions.

 

Formerly the Vice Chair of the Kampuchea Christian Council (KCC) and Chair of its Women’s Committee, Ms Van Arun Rasmey is currently its acting General Secretary.

 

 

 

 

Dr Kali Bahudar Rokaya is General Secretary of NCCP Nepal, lay pastor of Sagarmatha Church, Vice-President of the Interreligious Council of Nepal, National Coordinator of Nepal Intellectuals’ Forum, and Member of the National Human Rights Commission.
He is part of the Concern Movement for human rights and is founding member of the University of Christian Students Fellowship. He is married to Draupadi Rokaya and has two sons.

No easy answer: reconciliation requires justice

The need to keep justice included in efforts for reconciliation has been raised in Bible Studies, lectures and forums during the Assembly.

In the Bible study on Monday, April 19, Metropolitan Geevarghese Mor Coorilos, of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, said there was a dangerous trend in some quarters to de-link justice from the discourse on reconciliation and healing.

In the new globalised world it was claimed not all issues were justice related, but Metropolitan Coorilos said economic globalisation had made global problems worse. It had broken down some walls, but still others remained and new walls were being erected; new barriers of exclusion, exploitation and domination.

The “no entry” signs in the global south could be seen in such things as special economic zones and intellectual property rights.
Metropolitan Coorilos was preaching on Paul’s first epistle to the Ephesians, which he said was distinctive because of its perspective on the gentiles, the loathed, the underdogs: in Christ the gentiles had a new identity; discrimination had been overcome.

But Paul’s act of breaking the partition in the temple by bringing in a gentile eventually led to Paul’s torture, imprisonment and death.
Metropolitan Coorilos said, “All this suggests that the risk of reconciliation is indeed a costly one.” He said, “I have always held that ecumenism — one form of a reconciled community —in its perfect form is encountered in a house where someone has died.”
That was unlike a house where a wedding takes place and people must be invited, he said. In a house where someone has died people gather naturally, irrespective of their class, caste, race, gender or religion.

They all gather in solidarity and to share the pain and loss of the family. Sadly, for this vision of ecumenism and reconciliation to be actualised, someone needs to die.

It was death on a Cross that brought Christians together, he said. It had dismantled all walls of hostility and discrimination.
Metropolitan Coorilos said, “In the midst of old and new forms of division that perpetuate enmity, discrimination, domination and exploitation, we are called to prophesy, to reconcile and to heal.”
Reconciliation in the modern globalised context was more than mere conciliation. It was more than reconciling with the status quo; it was not about reconciling with the normative and dominant in an unjust society.

Reconciliation was a Trinitarian state of being; a perfect relationship between God, humanity and nature. “It is about restoring and reinstating just values and relationships. It is about reclaiming justice, peace and integrity of creation.

Discussions in the forum on a culture of violence and impunity touched on how attempts at reconciliation without justice resulted in impunity and the perpetuation of violent cultures.

For instance, Timorese who fought with the Indonesians and
No easy answer: reconciliation requires justice committed offences in the struggle for independence had been freed. That might have appeased Indonesia, but it did not build reconciliation among the Timorese. Justice was not seen to happen.

The healing of memories forum said healing involved forgiveness, acceptance, repentance, and a safe space to share of pain and suffering. There were two aspects of memories, it said: collective and individual memories of healing.

It said there was no healing without forgiveness from the oppressed and repentance for oppressor. “Healing is restoration of justice. It is a process of liberation and transformation between the oppressed and oppressors.”

In her D. T. Niles Lecture “Reconciliation and Healing in the Midst of Conflict and Brokenness”, Dr Ruth Manorama focused on the experiences of her struggles for the rights of India’s Dalits. She said true reconciliation meant recognising the root cause of a problem and having the courage to say things that the state would not entertain.

Reconciliation, she said, entailed justice and even reparation. She was critical of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which she said led to no action.

She spoke of the influence the early ecumenical movement had on her as an Indian, Dalit, Christian; how it provided a forum for other movements to network; and how it gave her courage and confidence.

Dr Manorama compared empires of state with the empires of the church and said Asian churches should not settle into the stereotypical styles of the empire.

She said state militarisation was occurring throughout Asia while poverty persisted in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal. In Asia, she said, pain was immense. And pain destroyed life. But she still had not seen Christ’s promise of abundant life.

The church still had not denounced the caste system, she said. Christian missionaries criticised idol worship but not the caste system. If theology spoke of washing away all sins, how could Christians still talk about untouchables or polluted people, she asked.
The church must stand up and talk, she said, and casteism needed to be addressed at the Asian level. “Reconciliation and healing can happen in Asia when you get involved.”

Dr Manorama said building movements was a witness to Christ and that the church needed to recognise that God used other people.
She said, “The best of the missionary enterprise is solidarity with the poor … The church must recognise those at the forefront of the struggle and give up its status of empire.”

“Bishops, pastors, leaders,” she said, “you must be with the people. But you are sitting and building and protecting the empires.”
Dr Manorama said the healing process was very risky work and that reconciliation needed a bold and courageous stand by believers.

Stephen Webb

~ Berita Terkini CCA Assembly 2010 April 20

New leaders to chart ecumenism’s future in Asia

The Christian Conference of Asia has elected new officers, who are expected to help chart the future of ecumenism and help strengthen the prophetic voice of Christianity in a culturally diverse continent, which, they say, needs “reconciliation and healing” more than ever.

Elected on 19 April during the CCA’s 13th General Assembly were four members of the Presidium. They were Ms Van Arun Rasmey, Kampuchea Christian Council general secretary; Rev Rex RB Reyes, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines; Rev Ms Retno Ngapon (Youth), Indonesia; and Dr K.B. Rokaya, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Nepal.

Members of the presidium have vowed to help make CCA a strong voice in Asia. “We have to exert more effort in playing our prophetic role in engaging with governments, civil society and other sectors,” said Dr Rokaya.

“We have to raise our voices against authoritarian and repressive regimes, religious extremism, human trafficking, militarism, human rights violations, institutionalised corruption and bad governance, even as we seek to help address modern epidemics such as HIV and AIDS,” he added.

Rev. Reyes also stressed on possibly “restructuring CCA to make it relevant and responsive” to current challenges and issues.
For his part, newly elected treasurer Augustine Karmakar promised to develop and improve CCA’s financial management system and raise funds “the best ways possible.”

Karmakar, the general secretary of the Church of Bangladesh, also said he would help promote self-reliance by encouraging more membership contributions. “We must also encourage richer Asian churches to give more,” he said.

Also elected were members of the General Committee and the three programme area committees – Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Empowerment (EGY); Faith, Mission and Unity (FMU); and the Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service (JID).
Members of the General Committee, however, will be announced only today after questions were raised about lack of balance in representation for the youth, laymen and laywomen.