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Christian Conference of Asia
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12th CCA General Assembly poster
posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 Churches urged to respond effectively to human rights violationsThe annual human rights training program was organized by Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in Kuala Lumpur, 10-16 November, to look at the human rights violations and to focus on issues and concerns affecting �greatly the lives of so many people in Asia, particularly the disempowered, marginalized, and the voiceless.� The participants from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Korea and resource persons from Hong Kong, Australia and Germany felt that the human rights violations in Asia were �continuing with impunity at an alarming rate.� They expressed shock that �there are societies in Asia that silently tolerate burning of women by husbands.� The were concerned that Asian societies still segregate people because of their class, color, creed and religious convictions, and discriminate because of their gender. �That the respective governments of concerned countries in Asia that are supposed to be protecting and enhancing the promotion and respect of human rights, considering that they are signatories to the United Nations charter, are falling in doing such solemn duty to their people,� they noted. They voiced their concern that the organized people�s reactions and struggles for human rights are being challenged by those who are benefiting from unjust and immoral situations �in many Asian societies where human rights are constantly being set aside.� In a letter to the churches in Asia, the participants urged them to include �training on human rights advocacy into every realm of the educational work of the churches� They felt that �the churches expression of their concern for the victims of human rights violations appeared to be quite weak in terms of providing support and rehabilitation to the victims particularly women and children.� Referring to Jesus� continuous call to respect the dignity of women and men, and his continuous act of healing those who have fallen victims to the powerful, the letter called the churches to go to that �second mile� by speaking out prophetically, identifying and prioritizing human rights work in their countries and encouraging ministers and laity to speak out by giving them adequate training in human rights. It also called the churches to join with human rights groups in their respective countries and link with them to form networks of solidarity �so that the voice for justice and dignity in our countries be unified.� The participants were aware that those people who are courageous enough to question and oppose life threatening policies and laws which are unjust and immoral, are often harassed, degraded, persecuted and sometimes eliminated physically by their own government machinery like the military. �By constantly drawing strength from the wellsprings of our faith we are confident that overcoming the gigantic and seemingly insurmountable obstacles will not weaken our resolve but inspire us further to contribute our humble selves for a just, peaceful and egalitarian world,� the letter said. The letter paid tributes to the CCA for conducting the human rights training program and asked the churches to mandate the CCA to continue its work. The first human rights training program was organised by CCA in 1997. posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 21, 2003 Next Asia Sunday to be on 23 May 2004 The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has decided to observe next year's Asia Sunday on 23 May 2004. The theme, "Serving together beyond boundaries" is based on lectionary texts for that Sunday, which include Jesus's prayer for unity (John 17:20-26). Dr Ahn Jae Woong, CCA general secretary in a letter sent, among others, to the member churches, national councils and ecumenical partners suggested that another day in 2004 can be set aside for observing Asia Sunday, if 23 May is not convenient. He also suggested that in places where Sunday is not a holiday, another day can be selected and called Asia Prayer Day. He urged the churches and organisations to plan for a special offering on that day which will go to help the Lao Evangelical Chuch in Laos. The Asia Sunday 2004 booklet, containing different liturgical resources like ideas for sermon, songs/hymns, prayers and litanies will be ready soon. posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 CCA Christmas message 2003To our sisters and brothers, partners on the ecumenical journey: We greet you as Christmas approaches, inspite of living in an age of uncertainties created by war, terrorism, violence, conflicts, and economic globalization. As we welcome the child Jesus, our humble gentle saviour, may we too, welcome all who are trusting, humble and gentle. We all need courage to seek the way of transformation, our old thoughts and ideologies, habits and customs, beliefs and practices. As we long for the peace that the world cannot give, may we struggle together for building communities of peace for all, along with people of other faiths and no faiths. May the God who created and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature be with us all, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, this Christmas. Jesus said: �I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world, you face persecution. But take courage, I have conquered the world!� John 16:33 (NRSV) May God bless us all! Rev Jennifer Dawson, President (Aotearoa-New Zealand) Dr Wong Wai Ching, President (Hong Kong) Most Rev Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeus, President (India) Mr Anthony Row, President (Malaysia) Mr Israel Paulraj, Honorary Treasurer (Sri Lanka) Dr Ahn Jae Woong, General Secretary (Korea) 12 November 2003 posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Consultation on Migrant Workers' StrugglesAlthough migrant workers are hailed as economic saviors of their respective national economies, their governments are often ill equipped to respond to their needs especially when they are faced with danger and hardships abroad. Governments are also unprepared or unwilling to re-absorb returning overseas workers. In fact they are aggressively promoting the migration of labor. As churches and non-government organizations strive to respond to their plight, the question comes up: is our response band-air solution to the problem or does it address the root of the problem? Is our goal for reformation or transformation? With this as background, CCA Faith, Mission and Unity program area will hold a consultation on "Affirming Fullness of Life in the Context of Migrant Workers' Struggles" in Kaohsiung, Taiwan on November 10-15, 2003. The meeting will gather representatives of URM network members, migrant workers' organizations, and theologians dealing with migrant issues. Hosting the meeting are the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the Labor Concern Center in Kaohsiung. posted by hope on Wednesday, November 05, 2003 Ecumenical leader calls for campaign to create a "non-bellicose world"Ahn Jae Woong, general secretary of the CCA has called for an "ecumenical campaign for a non-bellicose world." Presenting a report to the General Committee, held in Bangkok from 22-26 October 2003, he said that the campaign was necessary in this age of war and terror, created by a culture of violence which is spreading in many parts of the world. He said that the ecumenical campaign should be done with people of other faiths, no faith and civil society groups. The 26-member General Committee, comprising officers and representatives from 18-member countries in the Asia-Pacific, meets once in 18 months between the general assemblies and in the year of the general assembly. The next assembly will be held in Chiangmai, Thailand from March 31 to April 6, 2005, on the theme, "Building communities of peace for all." Eleven general assemblies have taken place so far. Ahn Jae Woong in his report observed that "ecumenical enthusiasm has gradually declined." He felt that "ecumenical dreams, visions, theological thinking, agendas, involvement, leadership, resources" may not be attractive to the mainline churches. Decreasing church membership and funds in the mainline churches might affect the ecumenical movement in the future, he warned. According to the general secretary, four foundations of the ecumenical movement need more focus, which are, "faith in God (requiring metanoia), love for each other and other people (requiring koinonia), hope in building communities (requiring diakonia) and care of for God's creation (requiring harmonia)." He also listed the following tasks for the revitalization of the ecumenical movement: Re-generate the spirituality of the ecumenical movement Re-define the vision and mission of the ecumenical movement Re-invent the programmes of the ecumenical movement Re-produce leadership of the ecumenical movement Re-construct the structure of the ecumenical movement Re-mobilize the resources of the ecumenical movement Re-develop membership of the ecumenical movement Ahn Jae Woong announced that the first volume, "A History of Ecumenical Movement in Asia," by Ninan Koshy will be ready for publication in April 2004. The second volume edited by Ninan Koshy is also scheduled for release at the same time. Earlier, on 23 October, the General Committee, which was attended by members, staff, resource persons, guests and invitees, began with an opening worship. Dr U Kyaw Than, the former general secretary of the East Asia Christian Conference delivered the sermon. Dr Prawate Khid-arn, associate general secretary for finance in his report urged the member churches to actively participate in the work of the CCA and to really own it by extending moral and financial support. One of the highlights of the event was the three bible studies, "Community in Mathew," "Community in Luke and in John," "Commission to mission in Mark,"conducted by Dr D Preman Niles, the Sri Lankan theologian and a former general secretary of the Council for World Mission. The General Committee also heard the two special guests at the Committee, Rev Dr Robert Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and Mr Victor Hsu, senior advisor to the director of the Church World Service (CWS). Dr Robert Edgar, a former Congressman in the USA, expressed the desire to jointly work and collaborate with the work of the CCA in creating non-violent societies. He expressed the willingness of the NCCC-USA in joining with the CCA in issuing joint statements on matters affecting the region and outside. He also called for more exchanges of delegations between the CCA and the NCCC-USA. Mr Victor Hsu, assured the meeting that the CCA will be a major partner of the CWS in the years to come. He paid tributes to the CCA for being the Asian voice in the international ecumenical arena. He, too, wanted more exchanges of persons and information between the CCA and the churches in the USA. Among the special invitees who attended the General Committee were, Professor James Haire, a member of the preparatory committee of the forthcoming General Assembly and president of the National Council of Churches in Australia, and Rev Sint Kimhachandra, general secretary of the Church of Christ in Thailand, which helped provide dinner and transportation to the CCA General Committee throughout the meeting. posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 Photos from the Bangkok General Committee
Ahn Jae Woong presenting the report 
Prawate Khid-arn presenting the report on finance 
Dr U Kyaw Than delivering the message at the opening worship of the CCA General Committee held from 22 to 26 October in Bangkok. Also seen in the picture are Dr Ahn Jae Woong and Suffragan Metropolitan Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeous, General Secretary and President of the CCA respectively. 
General Assembly sub-committee at work. From left, Hope, Ahn, Wai Ching, James and Menchie 
Victor Hsu addressing the meeting 
Robert Edgar, general secretary of the NCCC-USA bringing greetings to the meeting 
Robert Edgar of the NCCC-USA presenting a gift to Ahn Jae Woong. posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 |
