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27 February 2012 Muslims, Christians and tribal leaders learn the way of peace ‘Peace is at the core of Islam’ says Ms. Awilya Alonto:
Peace is at the core of Islam
and is invoked in every greeting of ‘salaam’ says Ms. Awilya Alonto,
Director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, in her comprehensive presentation
on ‘Islamic perspectives of Peace’ at the week long School of Peace
conducted at Davao City, Mindanao, from January 31 to Feb 4, 2012 by the Christian
Conference of Asia and hosted by Initiatives for Peace’ Mindanao.
“In the logic of Islam” she said, “peace is submission to the will of Allah and the use of force is never a factor in Islam.” She emphasized that Jihad embodies individual as well as collective liberation seen as a solution to human transgression.
Other presenters in the School
include Bishop Felixberto Calang of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente who
presented the current peace negotiations between the Government of the
Twelve Asian participants, from
posted by communications on Monday, February 27, 2012 16 Feb, 2012 Felicitations to Payap University on Founder's Day, 16th February, 2012 
Christian Conference of Asia warmly congratulates the Governing Board members, President, Vice-Presidents, all Faculty members, Staff and Students of the Payap University, on the occasion of Founder's day on 16th February 2012.
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, General Secretary and Staff members of CCA participated in a special Worship Service held this morning at the Henry Luce Chapel in the Campus.
Payap, the first private University in Thailand, was established as a college in the year 1974 and within a short span of 10 years earned the status of 'University'. For the last 38 years it has done yeoman service in the field of education and has won many commendations for its high academic standards. Today, this University that functions from three campuses, offers more than 40 academic programs, both Thai and International, has 9 faculties, 2 colleges, 468 Instructors from Thailand and other countries, and 6500 students which includes 300 International students from 42 countries. The University has several other units like the Institutes for Religion, Culture and Peace, Life Sciences, Youth Music and more. The sprawling and beautifully landscaped campus, is a delight to the eyes and the senses. It also houses the Headquarters of the Christian Conference of Asia.
We wish that Payap grows from strength to strength, and becomes a University of International repute.
posted by communications on Thursday, February 16, 2012
14 February, 2012
Felicitations to Most Rev.Datuk Bolly Lapok
Fourth Archbishop of the Anglican Province of SE Asia
History was made on 12th February 2012 when Most Rev. Datuk Bolly Lapok, the first Iban and Sarawakian, was installed as the 4rth Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in South East Asia. His pastoral jurisdiction covers the Anglican diocese of Sabah, Kuching, West Malaysia and Singapore which also includes the nine nations of Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Nepal. More than 2000 Anglicans including 100 guests from many countries, the Deputy Chief Minister and other Government dignitaries with their spouses, attended the grand and solemn church service held at St. Thomas Cathedral, in Kuching.
Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, General Secretary, brought greetings and wishes on behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia. Rev. Dr. Herman Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches of Malaysia and member of the CCA General Committee, also attended this memorable occasion.
In his sermon during the service, the 60 year old Archbishop said that he felt humbled by the grand installation ceremony and the new task in front of him. Earlier, while responding to the media on his election he commented that ".... there are few provinces in the Anglican world that are as diverse as the Province of S.E.Asia. Given so heavy a responsibility and so high a calling, I feel so small and so unequal. This is definitely one of those mysterious ways of God." He also requested the support of everyone for God's calling.
Hearty and warm congratulations, Archbishop, from the family of the Christian Conference of Asia.
May God lead you and give you wisdom in the discharge of the duties and responsibilities of your high office.
CCA Communications
posted by communications on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 February 13, 2012 Dear friends, Greetings to you! I would like to share the Statement of the 2nd Ecumenical Church Leaders Summit on the "Government of Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Peace Process" convened by the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Forum. This is their effort to activate the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and hope that the solution that they offer will overcome the impasse regarding detained Consultants, and may pave the way to an early resumption of peace talks.This is a good example of the advocacy and peace building role that our Councils and Churches can play in our troubled regions. Let us pray for peace and security for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. With hope and prayers Sincerely yours Rev. Dr.Henriette Hutabarat Lebang General Secretary
Statement of the 2nd
Betania Retreat House, Lahug,
February 6-8, 2012
*“This is what Yahweh asks of you, only this: that you act justly, that you
love tenderly, that you walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
We are
Church leaders from five major religious federations*. We came together to
reflect and discuss the peace negotiations between the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of Philippines (NDFP). We
listened to updates from both sides regarding the current status of the
negotiations. There are positive prospects that bolster our hopes for the talks
to continue but there are certain issues brought out that may hinder the process of the said talks.
One such issue, which is at the crux of the recent impasse, concerns the detained consultants of the NDFP that they claim are covered by the Joint Agreement on
Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). The NDFP called for a postponement of
the talks last June 2011 to give time for the GPH to release the consultants. While the GPH already released some consultants, the NDFP is demanding that the GPH honor the February 21, 2011 Joint Statement by releasing most if not all consultants covered by the JASIG.
The GPH recently stated that until the reciprocal working committees on the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER) shall have completed
the common tentative agreement on social and economic reforms, the talks may
not resume. They also stated that there will be no formal talks on issues
concerning the JASIG. This in turn was seen by the NDFP as a move to scuttle
the negotiations. We deeply understand the
concerns of both parties.
To affirm our commitment in support of the formal peace talks and to break the current impasse, we call on the Government to release in recognizance under the collective custodial guarantee of the member churches of the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform, the NDFP consultants who are willing to
be under the sanctuary of churches. This is our way of proclaiming the Gospel
of Peace.
We call on the GPH and the NDFP to consider this offer. As Church people, we recognize that the road to a just and lasting peace is complex. But we persevere because we are certain that nothing is impossible with God and especially if we take the interests of the people at heart. We believe that there are times when we need to dare and innovate, seize the Kairos moment, so that the formal talks may continue.
We pray that this offer from us will pave the way for both parties to continue to work on the mutually agreed principles or framework upon which the
peace negotiations are built. We are earnestly looking forward to the next
substantive agenda, the CASER, so that the fundamental issues that bring about unpeace will be addressed.
We affirm our prophetic voices for peace and take to heart our people’s longing for the elusive peace that will create the conditions for an equitable and sustainable development of our country and people.
We fervently
ask you all to join us in prayers and solidarity in this quest for a future worthy of our children.
February 8,
2012
For the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform
ARCHBISHOP
Antonio J. Ledesam, S.J., DD
Co-chairperson
Disclaimer: The opinions in the statement do not necessarily reflect the views of the Christian Conference of Asia or any of its employees. posted by communications on Monday, February 13, 2012 PASTORAL LETTER TO CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES9 February 2012 PASTORAL LETTER TO CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES
Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We deeply grieve with you, especially with our brothers and sisters in the island provinces of Negros and Cebu, as you struggle to cope with the devastating earthquake that struck on Monday the 6th February 2012, causing death, and large scale damage to buildings, roads and bridges. We learn with sorrow that these provinces were heavily populated, and that the 6.8 magnitude earthquake left about 43 dead, some crushed under buildings that collapsed, with the toll likely to cross a hundred. We are painfully aware of the landslides that lasted for about 2 hours and the after shock of a magnitude of 6.2 that struck central Philippines 4 hours later causing more panic and fear. We are worried that damage to buildings, roads and bridges is making the area inaccessible to people engaged in rescue operations, and also that food and medical aid is delayed for the same reasons.
We read with anxiety the newspaper reports that Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” which is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. In times like this we realize the vulnerability and helplessness of human beings, and the resulting pain and trauma at the loss of loved ones, the despair and frustration, and mainly the fear of getting on with life, when one is exhausted emotionally and physically. We the members of the CCA family share your sorrow and pain and hold your hands in solidarity and prayer. Let us gain strength from each other and at the same time take courage in the fact that God the Creator is compassionate. He is the rock
and the fortress in whom we take refuge. (Psalm 18:2)
May I appeal to the members of the CCA family to pray for the churches and the people in the Philippines and to generously contribute to lend support and solidarity to our brothers and sisters affected by the earthquake. Rev. R B. Reyes, General Secretary, NCC Philippines may be contacted at the following telephone numbers or email :
Tel: + 63-2-928-8636/ 929 3745; Fax: + 63-2-926 7076;Email: padirex@gmail.com May the God of love and compassion embrace us all. Yours sincerely, Henrietta Hutabarat Lebang General Secretary Cc: CCA Member Churches and Councils, Members of the General Committee and Program Area Committee and Ecumenical Partners posted by communications on Thursday, February 09, 2012 Rev. Prince Devanandam appointed Secretary, Methodist Mission and Ecumenical Conference, Aoteara, New ZealandThe CCA family congratulates Rev. Prince Devanandam, member of the CCA General Committee, for his appointment as Secretary, Methodist Mission and Ecumenical Conference of the Methodist Church, Aotearoa, New Zealand. In a congratulatory letter, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, General Secretary, CCA, greeted him and prayed that the grace and wisdom of God would guide him as he begins his new responsibility from 1st Feb 2012. As Secretary of the Mission, Rev. Prince Devanandan is responsible for ecumenical relations and initiatives both local and international, for coordinating the overseas programmes of the Methodist Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, including projects and programmes of partner churches in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Wishing you all the best Rev. Prince in your new assignment. CCA Communications 3/2/2012 posted by cbs on Saturday, February 04, 2012 |
