Letter from CCA

(“A Letter from CCA” is a sharing message of the CCA General Secretary to update member churches and ecumenical friends about the life and works of CCA. It is electronically published every Wednesday.)

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ!

On 3 October, 2007 with colleagues Tony Waworuntu, Janejinda Pawadee and Rev. Huh Chung Jung, I was in Bangkok welcoming participants of the World Council of Churches regional ecumenical workshop on “Towards an Ecumenical Agenda for Advocacy on Human Rights and Human Dignity”. The workshop was jointly hosted by Christ Church of Thailand and CCA for WCC. A diverse group of participants attended the event including thirty human rights activists, scholars and other members of Asian churches and related organisations. A balance of participants was apparent during the workshop as the clergy, women, laity and youth were well represented. For many it was the first time to participate in a WCC and CCA program, which indicates the broadening of the ecumenical circle. 

Dr. Mathew George in his introductory note overviewed the importance of promoting human rights protection mechanisms and instruments in response to the human right violation in Asia. He explained that, “the workshop intends to increase knowledge, promote solidarity, change attitudes, encourage critical thinking and develop skills that contribute to the protection of human rights and human dignity.”

My greeting message stated, “Churches are called to stand up together in the struggle for justice and peace in Asia, to pursue human dignity, to protect the basic human rights and to bring fullness of life to the people, who are exploited, denied and rejected. In the midst of the crises, Christians and churches are being challenged by divine faith and teachings to become the salt and light of this world. You and I are created to make this ecumenical journey possible.”

Response from the Australian government

In response to the appeal letter written to the Australian government by CCA regarding the emergency response to the indigenous people issues in Northern Territory, we received a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister on 3 October, 2007. It stated:

“Your comments in relation to the consultation with indigenous Australia have been noted. I would like to assure you and the Christian Conference of Asia that the Commonwealth Government has maintained a productive dialogue with indigenous Australians and receives regular advice from Australia’s National Indigenous Council and the board range of indigenous organizations.

“The Commonwealth Government’s immediate priority is to ensure that children are protected and can sleep at night without fear of violence or abuse. The Commonwealth is committed to working with the Northern Territory Government and indigenous people to stabilize and improve the environment in which indigenous children and their families live, so that they can have a better future.”

CCA General Assembly preparations

Invited by the Council of Churches in Malaysia (CCM), members of the CCA Preparatory Committee for CCA General Assembly 2010, James Haire, Anthony Row, Rienzie Perera and I met church leaders and committee members of the CCM in Kuala Lumpur to discuss possibility of holding CCA General Assembly in Malaysia.

I would like to thank Rev. Dr Hermen Sharstri for his support throughout the preparatory process. The report from the discussions and meetings from the churches in Taiwan, India and Malaysia will be presented to the CCA Executive Committee meeting next month in Bangkok. The venue for the assembly will be decided by then. I request all the member churches, councils and individual members to continue praying for this important event.

Congratulations

While in Bangkok I met Dr. Esther Byu, the executive director of International Committee for Fellowship of the Least Coins (ICFLC). She told us that the handing over of work to the newly appointed executive director Corazon Tabing Reyes will be done in a meeting next November. Meanwhile Dr Byu plans stay on in Thailand and enjoy some personal leisurely time. Congratulations to Corazon for taking up the new responsibility!

We also heard from Linda Hartke of Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance about Fr. Robert Vitillo will be made a Monsignor in the Roman Catholic Church. Vitillo works for Caritas International and is also a member of EAA. This is a significant recognition of his faithful service and contribution to the HIV/AIDS work. We congratulate him for this! 

CCA in Action

EGY- Women Secretaries Workshop and Meeting will be held from 9-12 October, 2007 at the Student Christian Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Around twenty-seven women leaders from CCA member councils will be reflecting on women’s situation in Asia and laying out future concerns and action plans.

FMU- Asian Conference of Theological Students (ACTS) will be held in conjunction with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) from 8-13 October, 2007. Around thirty theology students are invited to reflect on Asian theologies.

CCA team visit to partners in Europe will take place from 13-30 October, 2007. The team members include Ms. Manju Baroi (President), Bishop Thomas Soo (Honorary Treasurer), Mr. Anthony Row (Executive and General Committee member), Dr Hope Antone (FMU Executive Secretary) and myself. The team will share CCA’s concerns and mission with the partners in Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and England. The strengthening of mutual understanding and future cooporation will also be discussed with the partners.

I thank all the ecumenical partners in Europe for their warm invitation, hospitality and continuing support. We look forward to meeting them all. I would also like to thank Dr. Mathews George from WCC for making this visit finally possible.

At this end, please continue praying for people in Myanmar and Pakistan as they are struggling for democracy and peace in their homelands.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 40/10 October 2007