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Christian Conference of Asia
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Program Clusters: Special Programs:
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Promoting Ecological Justice: Asian Churches’ Response
Consultation on Ecology, Economy and Accountability
31 October-5 November 2012
Participants
of a 6-day Consultation on the Asian Churches Response to Promoting Ecological
Justice, urged Asian Churches to create awareness about the perils of the
ecological crisis among local congregations and mainstream ecological concerns
in the life and ministry of the Church.
The
Consultation that was organized by CCA-JID, coordinated and hosted by the
Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), and the Simalungun Protestant
Christian Church (GKPS); was held in Pemantangsiantar, in North Sumatra,
Indonesia, from 31 October-5 November 2012; focusing on the theme
"Promoting Ecological Justice: Asian Churches Response."
In the
Opening Worship that was enriched by a Traditional dance recital and Indonesian
songs by students, Rev. Jaharianson Saragih, General Secretary of the GKPS,
emphasized God's lordship over the earth and called for a “profound commitment
to fulfill our human vocation to be earth-keepers to serve the earth" and
"be different so that we can make a difference for God's sense to glorify
God in our life in caring for all creation."
Mr.
Favor A. Bancin, Executive Secretary, PGI's, warmly welcomed the participants
and shared the organization's ecological concern and information on its
"Green Church" program in the Methodist Church, Medan, North Sumatra.
Addressing
the participants, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat, General Secretary said "We
will hear more stories from some of our friends but also from you all of your
experiences in addressing the issues of calamities, natural disasters in their
places. But we want to look deep into the causes of the problems and what our
responses are as churches."
Giving
an overview of the consultation she said that the process will include
re-reading the Bible, evolving a theoretical framework to look into the
ecological problems and develop a concrete plan of action. She called on the
participants to communicate with each other saying, "The most important
issue is how do we as Asian churches share each other's experiences, empower
each other, and strengthen each other."
The
consultation that was attended by 50 participants from Indonesia, India,
Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Sri Lanka and Japan, issued a statement calling
for increasing awareness on eco-reformation, the concept of green churches,
resistance to development projects like dams, nuclear plants that endanger and
put all forms of life to risk, discourage global investors that monopolize the
markets, strategies that preserve local resources, and adopting a social praxis
that leads to self-reliance, sustainability and accountability.
Giving
a serious and concerted call for networking, unity of thought and action, and
solidarity among churches, the participants also stressed on the need for a
Christian commitment towards establishing "Eco-Justice" in preserving
God's entire Creation.
(Reported
from Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, Indonesia,
by
Hisashi Yukimoto, Japan)
posted by communications on Thursday, November 08, 2012 |
