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!

CCA will be contributing a faith based ecumenical voice from Asia to the XVII International AIDS Conference taking place from 3-8 August at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico. The conference calls for universal action in combating the deadly disease bringing more than 23,000 people from around the world.

CCA's Consultant for HIV/AIDS Concern Fr Philip Kuruvilla from India is participating in the event. This was followed by his participation in Ecumenical Pre-Conference on HIV/AIDS organised by Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance held from 31 July - 3 August in Mexico.

Along with inclusion of faith groups the conference participants comprise of government officials, private non-profit groups, medical researchers, activists and representatives of grassroots groups. The focus of the
conference will be on better treatment for those infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS as well as prevention.

Following the disciples of Jesus Christ

CCA's Associate General Secretary for Finance and Relationship, Dr Rienzie Perera reflected on Mathews 4: 18-22 in today's morning worship. He described the characteristics of Jesus' disciples and their transformation inspired by his life and ministry. While shedding light on the unique relationship between Jesus and his disciples he said, "The disciples were not only attracted to Jesus, but were challenged by him. The task is how we bring this question to our own church lives. How we become a transformative community to influence the world outside church." He emphasised that we need the questioning and challenging minds like the disciples within the faith
itself, to be able to be a healing, reconciling and prophetic voices.

Shaping the future of theology

Hope S. Antone, Joint Executive Secretary of the CCA-FMU attended the Consultation on the Future Shape of the South East Asian Graduate School of Theology on 26-29 July in Sabah, Malaysia.

The consultation was organised to re-examine the role of the South East Asian Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST) in the promotion of contextual theological education in Asia in the face of the current realities and
challenges and to look into the possibility of setting up a SEAGST center (with a campus) for research and studies -"in order for it to gain an international status for quality education" (according to the Concept
Paper).

In 1966 the Association of Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) set up a consortium style of theological education through SEAGST, granting Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology degrees through the approved participating schools. However, some weaknesses of this consortium model were brought out in the meeting by SEAGST Associate Dean, Dr. Huang Po Ho who proposed that a way to overcome them was to set up a center or institute for regional programs, research, and library and archives of ATESEA.

On behalf of the CCA, Hope Antone made a short response to the paper on re-shaping SEAGST, raising questions on the viability of a central structure vs. strengthening the participating schools to each offer what they are
already good at.

The meeting heard various models from the partners from other regions. It was decided that the seven areas (geographical divisions of ATESEA, headed by a dean) seriously reflect on the concept, critique and the various models presented.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 31/6 August 2008