Christian Conference of Asia ccanews New Life

Asia Sunday: Hope for New Life in East Timor

Challenged to Reconcile: Women Bring New Life

The War on Terror in Asia

Volume 37 • Number 1 • March 2002 Editorial New Life

This edition of CCA News follows a theme that runs through various celebrations of the Christian Conference of Asia and the wider ecumenical movement: ‘New Life’. Our Asia Sunday on 12 May focuses on ‘Timor Lorosa’e: Hope for New Life’. Indeed, the CCA and its constituency stand in solidarity with the church of East Timor and hope for new life and fullness of life of all its people. The CCA espe- cially prays for this youngest nation in Asia as it prepares to elect its president on 14 April and to inaugurate its independence on 20 May. The month of March is also filled with the promise of ‘New Life’ as Easter brings renewed hope in the meaning of Christ’s resurrection for our time. Also celebrated in March are two other important days: the World Day of Prayer and the Interna- tional Women’s Day. The World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical prayer movement that dates back to as early as 1812 and was begun by women as a way to be united in prayer and in action. This year, the World Day of Prayer has the theme, ‘Chal- lenged to Reconcile’, again an indication of the hope for new life in this time of so Cover: ‘Peace’, STM (Philippines) much conflict and violence. International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on 8 March each year, is a reminder that the women’s movement for equality, justice, peace and genuine development is an ongoing call for ‘new life’ for women and all who are marginalised and dehumanised in society. Our affirmation of ‘New Life’ becomes even more urgent in the light of the realities and challenges that we experience in Asia and all over the world. Our Asian region has experienced so much violence—from the time of colonisation, Our affirmation of ‘New to the struggles for independence, and then to the more recent struggles for a decent life in the wake of the neocolonialist processes of globalisation, militarisation Life’ becomes even more and terrorism that are affecting us. urgent in the light of the As communities of faith, we rejoice in the signs of hope for ‘New Life’ through actions of conflict transformation, of just peace and of genuine reconciliation that realities and challenges are now visible in various parts of the region. That is why we are saddened by new that we experience in developments that seem to challenge and threaten such hopeful signs. These nega- tive developments of course include the processes of globalisation and Asia militarisation—which as Asian analyst Ninan Koshy says in this issue of CCA News— are two sides of the same coin. The so-called war on terror that was hastened by the September 11 incidents in the US has now moved to Central Asia, to Southeast Asia and to Northeast Asia. Therefore, more than ever, we must affirm and claim the ‘New Life’ that is prom- ised to us by God—not by the powers that be. So we should not be disheartened. Let us carry on in faith, in hope and in love to claim and affirm God’s will for ‘New Life’, which is God’s gift of ‘Fullness of Life For All’. Ahn Jae Woong

2 CCA News March 2002 In This Issue

Asia Sunday 2002—Timor Lorosa’e: Hope for New Life

On Asia Sunday this year we learn about the remarkable story of East Timor and are called to support the work of the church there, especially for the education of the young generation 28 Addressing Violence The War on Terror against Women 4 Asian women The War on Terror is a war share their many in Asia. Ninan Koshy gives stories of his view on what this war women’s is really about suffering 20 AIDS: A Challenge for Religious Response 14

Asia Scene Reflections Threat to Peace in Korea 6 A Turn Around—Ahn Jae Woong 21 The Malino Declaration 7 Ecumenical Theological Education in Asia— Afghan Refugees in Japan 8 A. Wati Longchar 24 The Fountain of Life 9 Planting Feminist Theology in Hong Kong— Global Currents Wong Wai-ching 26 Towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development 10 Newsbriefs 27 CCA in Focus Obituaries Youth Activities 12 Kim Kwan Suk 30 Dealing with Diverse Identities in a Changing Asia 16 Susanta Adhikari 30 Meet the Presidents of CCA (2)—Anthony Row 19 Angela Sollen 31 ccanews Official publication of the Christian Conference of Asia Volume 37 • Number 1 • March 2002 96, 2nd District, Pak Tin Village Editorial Committee Mei Tin Road, Sha Tin, NT Editor-in-Chief Hong Kong SAR, China Mandy Tibbey Ahn Jae Woong Telephone + 852 2691 1068 Hope Antone Fax + 852 2692 4378 Corazon Tabing-Reyes Editor email [email protected] Daniel Thiagarajah Geoff Alves www.cca.org.hk Tony Waworuntu

CCA News March 2002 3 Asia Scene Addressing Violence against Women Seminar of people from Myanmar raises awareness of women’s suffering

n awareness-raising seminar- works with us. God gives us wisdom which For church women (with some men) gath- workshop for people from we can use.’ ering together on the issue of violence Burma on violence against Fear paralyses. The people of Burma/ against women was already a courageous women (VAW) was held recently. Myanmar have known conflict for many gen- first step to break away from their paraly- Participants included about forty erations—in pre-colonial times, under Brit- sis. Awomen leaders, pastors and people from ish colonialisation, during World War 2, The seminar-workshop used stories to NGOs. There were also three men partici- during the struggle for independence in reflect and share perspectives on VAW—a pants. 1948, under the military rule starting in national situation of women, which focused In the opening worship a church leader 1962 and made more rigid in 1988 with the on cases of wife battering, psychological vio- greeted the participants, encouraging them establishment of martial law. There are lence, sex tourism and prostitution, coerced that all women and all church leaders (who many silenced stories of ongoing conflicts pregnancy, marital rape and rape in differ- are men) must know about the issue of vio- and the difficult situations that many peo- ent parts of Myanmar—stories that were en- lence against women. Women should ex- ple go through. When there is conflict, peo- countered in the presenter’s ministry with pose cases, especially of domestic violence ple suffer. But women and children suffer families. More personal stories came out of and violence in the church. Even with cul- more, in different ways than men. the small group sharing. They named their tural or structural barriers, women must In the light of this background it was experiences of verbal abuse and attempted speak, tell the truth about women’s issues important to understand the participants’ rape in the home, sexual harassment in and let God’s justice roll. He said, ‘God fears and efforts to come out of their fear. schools and workplaces and VAW in the

4 CCA News March 2002 church and in refugee situations. They ex- of the laws however refer only to marriage pressed feelings of anger, shame, fear, and address domestic violence. Many Stories of Women’s shock, mental disturbance and confusion. Being a woman is always a life of con- Suffering They shared their analysis of the root cause flict. But there is hope! Reflecting on the of VAW—patriarchy—and saw it in the exercise of conflict and transformation, the • ‘In the border area, many soldiers home, in the school, in the church, in the women tried to draw from their cultural her- are stationed because of the dis- state, everywhere. Experiences of women in itage some ways by which conflict is han- pute between the Myanmar gov- conflict situations outside Myanmar—from dled or transformed, not evaded. In one ernment and ethnic groups. The Afghanistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, East minority area it is traditional to have a com- soldiers ask women from the vil- Timor and Indonesia—provided them with munity gathering around food before the lages to serve them—to cook and a global exposure to VAW, making them af- elders deal with a domestic or community wash their clothes. If a woman is firm that ‘their story is our story’. problem. beautiful, she is asked to stay dur- There were two Bible studies that helped Thinking about that session, there needs ing the night.’ participants to reflect on VAW—one as nar- to be time to reflect some more on the cul- • ‘In some ethnic areas, when sol- rated in Judges 19, which helped them to tural wisdom that we in Asia have that helps diers come to the village, men are include dangers that women face in state us find courage and strength to engage in asked to go to the hillside to violence. The participants shared many sto- conflict transformation. Colonisation has gather wood. The women are ries of women’s suffering (see box). covered many layers on our ancestors’ wis- raped.’ The other Bible study the following day dom. • ‘Women are raped. Some became was on the story of the woman caught in Drawing inspiration from God’s voice pregnant. Some get HIV/AIDS adultery as compared to the story of Adam and from each other’s creatively drawn vi- from soldiers who rape them. Be- and Eve’s fall. Using dance and drama in- sion of a world of harmony among women, cause of economic problems, they put and small-group discussion, the Bible men and creation, a world of sharing, a sell their bodies.’ study helped the participants reflect on Je- world of caring, the participants made their • ‘Women serve as porters. Women sus’ liberating attitude towards women. The action plans and committed the implemen- porters have all kinds of disabili- presentation on the legal rights of women tation of these plans in the closing worship. ties. They have to go to land-mine discussed the legal status regarding VAW. One participant wryly observed, ‘In this areas and then legs are ampu- The presenter reiterated the importance of seminar-workshop I did not have the time tated.’ education for women to overcome the bar- to sleep during the session!’ Yes, there is • ‘Always, men have the honour. riers that hinder them from seeking justice much to do, especially after the seminar- Women have the shame!’ when they are violated and abused. Many workshop! Challenged to Reconcile Malaysian women’s visits

he Women’s Work Committee of the underdeveloped states, with majority Preaching on the World Day of Prayer Council of Churches of Malaysia or- populations of Malays and Muslims), then theme, ‘Challenged to Reconcile,’ Cora said: T ganised a series of visits and work- Trengganu and Kelantan (where a high in- ‘Our faith resource teaches us that we are shops for women in various of its states re- cidence of incest is blamed on women hav- all called to be reconciled to God and to be cently. ing to work at night). agents of reconciliation, no longer to live The visits and workshops were con- Cora preached during worship services, in enmity, in macho ego and hatred but to ducted by Corazon Tabing-Reyes, joint ex- conducted workshops and visited with live in love. We are called to plant the seeds ecutive secretary of CCA’s Ecumenical church women, students and faculty of the of God’s peace in our personal lives, in our Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Em- Seminary Theologi Malaysia. families, in our workplaces, in our church, powerment program area. She also visited the Asian Women’s Re- in our country, in our world. And the power Places visited were Klang Valley (the source Centre for Culture and Theology, that we need is not of domination or ‘power most urbanised part of Malaysia, where the Malaysian Women in Ministry and Theology, over’. God teaches us a new understanding Women’s Work Committee operates), the a centre for young people with learning dis- of power—the power to produce change for East Coast, and West Malaysia (the most abilities and a market run by women. the sake of those who are weak.’

CCA News March 2002 5 Asia Scene Threat to Peace in Korea The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea reacts to George Bush’s ‘axis of evil’ statement

n 15 February, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) issued a strong statement against the reckless remarks made by US President Bush to Congress, which were seen as threatening the peace of the Korean peninsula. In his remarks, Mr Bush referred to North Korea as an ‘axis of evil’. The Rev. Jong Moo Kim, general secretary of the PROK, is calling Oall its members to pray for peace in Korea and all over the world.

15 February 2002 sets back these autonomous moves toward the reunification of Korea. Also, as reported in the press, President Bush intends to President George W. Bush demand unilaterally the purchase, by South Korea, of US-made The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW weapons and the globalisation of the new liberalism through Washington, DC 20500, USA the signing of a Korea–US investment agreement during his forth- coming visit to Korea. Dear President George W. Bush, We, the PROK, respect the spirit of the 15 June South–North Korea joint declaration announced during the South–North We, the PROK, strongly denounce the reckless remarks made Korea summit and pray for the peace and stability of the Ko- by US President George Bush, which threaten the peace on the rean peninsula through mutual exchanges based on reconcilia- Korean peninsula. tion and cooperation. We assert that the ‘axis of evil’ statement After proclaiming the year 2002 as ‘the Year of War’, US by President Bush regarding North Korea is an expression of President Bush included North Korea in the ‘axis of evil’ in a the US-style supremacy ideology, which threatens peace on the speech at the US Congress, thereby inferring the possibility of a Korean peninsula, and we strongly denounce it. Also, we strongly military containment offensive. Hence, a new crisis has been oppose the visit to Korea by a US president who does not apolo- created and tension and fear have been rapidly spreading in all gise for or justify his statements to the Korean people, whose parts of the Korean peninsula. interests in peace they militate against. The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea If the United States truly thinks of itself as Korea’s partner (PROK),which has never stopped praying for reconciliation and wanting peace on the Korean peninsula and throughout the the peaceful reunification of the nation since the division of the world, it must revise its North Korea policy towards easing the Korean peninsula by the great powers, is, together with all Ko- tension on the Korean peninsula and achieving peaceful coex- reans, astonished by the US’s supremacy ideology, which ig- istence through unconditional dialogue with North Korea. As nores the peace of the Korean peninsula and the wellbeing of such, the PROK strongly urges the US to give up its peace policy Korean citizens in order to pursue its own national interests. based on a supremacy ideology led by its military force. The concept of a peace policy based on military power, in The PROK, which has prayed while dreaming of our peo- which a country declares, or effectively declares, war upon na- ple’s tomorrow, in which there is no war but only peace on the tions that it arbitrarily judges to be a threat, however small, to Korean peninsula, in which brothers and sisters of South and itself and says that it will eliminate them through force, is clearly North Korea live together harmoniously, a state desired both by an anti-peace policy that threatens world peace. God and all Koreans, will continue to pray with all its faith and It cannot be denied that this is a revival of the spirit of impe- power for the unity and reconciliation of our people while rialism that drove the world into an abyss of death and destruc- closely observing any actions America may take. tion during two world wars. The ‘axis of evil’ statement by US President Bush regarding The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea North Korea demonstrates extreme selfishness on the part of Rev. Yoon, Ki-seok, Moderator of General Assembly the US, ignoring, as it does, the ardent wish of the Korean na- Rev. Moon, Tae-gol, Chairman, Church and Society Committee tion for the peaceful reunification of South and North Korea Rev. Lee, Hae-hak, Chairman, Peaceful Reunification through dialogue and exchanges. Clearly it is an action which Committee

6 CCA News March 2002 The Malino Declaration Christian and Muslim communities in Maluku make an agreement

he conflict in Maluku that has been going on for three years now and has caused thousands of victims, an enormous loss of property, suffering and difficulties for the population. It endangered the oneness of the Unitarian Nation of the Repub- lic of Indonesia and clouded the future of the Moluccan population. Because of this, under the compassion of the Al- mighty, as Muslim and Christian communities of Maluku, in a spirit of openness and sincerity, and explicitly wanting to Tlive with our diversity within the unity of our people, together with the government of the Republic of Indonesia, we agree on committing ourselves to vow on the following:

1. To end any form of conflict and violence. 7. To bring back the refugees to the place where they came 2. To uphold the supremacy of law, in a righteous, firm, from without forcing them, and with all their civil rights, honest, impartial way, supported by the whole of the step by step, following the developments and the situa- population. Therefore the law enforcing apparatus has tion. to be professional in the execution of their task. 8. The government will help the people to overcome the 3. To refuse, counteract and take measures against any form mental, social, economic damage as well as the damage of separatist movement (with among them RMS) which done to facilities (like educational, medical, religious threatens the unity and sovereignty of the Unitarian Na- facilities) and family houses, in order to allow a future tion of the Republic of Indonesia of re-establishing welfare and overcoming difficulty for 4. As a part of the Unitarian Nation of the Republic of Indo- the whole of the Moluccan population. nesia the people of Maluku have the right to be, work This includes the opening up of any restriction of move- and do business in the whole of the territory of the Re- ment, so that economic and social life can be resumed public of Indonesia. This is the same the other way in the right way around, that other Indonesians may be, work and do 9. In the effort to maintain order and security in the whole business in the territory of the Maluku Province, law- of the territory and the population, the unity or com- fully and fairly, paying attention to and observing the lo- pactness and the firmness of military and police, accord- cal culture and watching security and order. ing to their respective function and task, is decisive. In 5. Any armed organisation, unit, group or laskar, who uses this respect several facilities for the TNI/POLRI have to arms without authorisation in Maluku, is forbidden and be built, equipped and functioned. has to hand over its arms, or be disarmed, and measures 10. To maintain harmonious relations within the whole of according to the prevailing laws should be taken against the religious oriented people in Maluku, any effort of them. Parties from outside who disturb peace and order dakwah and the spreading of religion has to uphold the in Maluku, are obliged to leave Maluku. ideal of diversity and observe local culture. 6. To form an independent national enquiry team to execute 11. To support the rehabilitation of the Pattimura-University, a final investigation into the event of 19 January 1999 based on the principal of joint development; therefore (the role of) FKM, RMS, RMS Christians, Laskar Jihad, the system of recruitment and other policies have to be Laskar Kristus, forced conversion, human rights abuse transparent and based on the principle of equity, in ob- and the like, for the sake of the strengthening of (the servance of established requirements of quality. rule of) law. We made this agreement in real sincerity and determined to execute it consistently. Parties that break the agreement and do not want to execute it, will face juridical prosecution, based on prevailing laws. The follow up of this agreement will be worked out and planned by the following: 1. Commission on Security and Law-enforcement. 2. Social-economic Commission. The execution of this agenda and plan will be done by all the parties involved, monitored by a national monitoring team, and a provincial working group. The agreement was made and signed in Malino on 12 February 2002.

CCA News March 2002 7 Asia Scene Afghan Refugees in Japan NCCJ hosts program on detention of Afghan asylum seekers The National Christian Council in Japan hosted a WCC–CCA meet- and other Christian leaders met senior immigration officials, par- ing on Peace and Security in North East Asia on 9–10 March at the liamentarians, concerned Japanese groups and the Japanese me- Tokyo YMCA. The meeting was closely followed by a program on dia. They called for the release and recognition of refugee status Afghan refugees in Japan and included a visit to a detention centre of twenty-four Afghan asylum seekers. They also called for improved in Tokyo and separate meetings with Afghan refugees and the peo- systems in Japan for recognition of refugees (noting that Japan has ple responsible for refugees in the Ministry of Justice, as well as recognised an unusually small number of refugees for a rich, de- members of the national assembly and support groups. Ahn Jae veloped country) and urged that on no account should the asylum Woong of CCA, Clement John of the WCC, Kenichi Otsu of the NCCJ seekers be sent back to Afghanistan.

The National Christian Council in Japan Calls on the Japanese Government to Release all Afghan Asylum Seekers and Grant Them Refugee Status

Japan’s Racist Refugee Policy and had been persecuted by the Taliban, they were made ob- Even before the events of September 11, the Japanese govern- jects of ‘anti-terrorist measures’. However, when questioned, ment had been notorious for its racist and exclusionary refu- the Japanese government was unable to uncover any relation- gee policy. In the last ten years the government has only ship with terrorists, and instead the government began to claim recognised forty-nine refugees from around the world, the worst that they were actually ‘foreign workers camouflaged as refu- record among the G7 countries. After September 11, Japanese gees’. governmental policies for refugees has become more exclusionary and more harsh to the asylum seekers in Japan Once Released, but ... than ever. Some lawyers in Tokyo met the Afghan detainees and found that the detention was unlawful, that it was against the international Escaped from Taliban, Detained in Japan covenant of refugees and other international standards of In 1998 and afterwards, when the Taliban had taken control of UNHCR. They organised a group of lawyers to save them, and Mazar-e-Sharif and more than the half of northwest part of Af- legal action was started in order to end their detention. The ghanistan, the Hazara people, who are descendants of Ghengis action was successful, and the government’s refugee policy was Khan and Shiite Muslims, were made the targets of planned geno- judged as being overly exclusionary. On 6 November the Tokyo cide. A lot of Hazaras escaped from their homelands and be- District Court’s third civil affairs section (Chief Judge Masayuki came refugees. Some of them travelled as far as Japan in their Fujiyama), which examined five of the nine Afghans, made a search for protection. Their number increased, particularly historic decision to release all five, and criticised Japanese gov- beginning in 2001, and most of them applied to Japanese gov- ernmental policy for refugees: ‘The government’s policy for refu- ernment for recognition as refugees. gees are exclusive enough to say that it is against international However, after September 11, the Japanese government be- order and public welfare.’ gan investigation of these Afghanistan asylum seekers on suspi- The Japanese government, taken aback by this judgment, cion of their relation with the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda. On filed an appeal to the Tokyo High Court, and in an attempt to 3 October the Japanese Immigration Bureau and the police ‘prove’ that they were ‘workers in camouflage’, released per- raided some places where Afghan asylum seekers lived and ar- sonal information that had been collected by Japanese secret rested nine of them. They were detained in the Immigration police. Later, the Tokyo High Court overturned the decision made Detention Centre in Tokyo. When arrested, the asylum seekers by Tokyo District Court, and the five Afghans were detained again were under investigation as to whether they would be recog- in the Detention Centre in Tokyo. nised as refugees, and a decision had not yet been made. The Furthermore, on 27 November the Japanese government police unit in charge of the detainees was armed with auto- decided to deport the asylum seekers to Afghanistan, and moved matic rifles. (In Japan it is almost unheard of for police to carry them to another detention facility in the northeast region of automatic weapons.) Though these refugees were anti-Taliban Japan, about three hours from Tokyo by train.

8 CCA News March 2002 Disregarding the Diagnosis of ATSD nic group and it is clear that they cannot go back to present- Each of the nine people has been mentally affected as a result day Afghanistan, as the interim government of the country mainly of being detained and/or beaten by the Taliban regime. The psy- consists of Jamiyat-i Islami, a Mujahedin group of Tajiks that chiatrist who examined them diagnosed them all as suffering killed many Hazaras in the civil war era of 1993–96. The NCCJ from ATSD (acute traumatic stress disorder), and warned that says the Japanese government must release them immediately, keeping them in a detention centre could worsen their disease and admit them as refugees, or at least give them appropriate remarkably, and would violate their human rights. Their intern- residency status. ment by the Japanese government continues, however, disre- Moreover, the Japanese government should change its whole garding this warning. immigration policy to a democratic and tolerant one, discard- ing its racist refugee policy and expanding the acceptance of A Demand to the Japanese Government to Change refugees. Its Racist Policy Towards Refugees and Immigrants We appeal for you, as people throughout the world who love At present, there are twenty-four refugee applicants from Af- freedom and peace, to speak out to stop the detention of the ghanistan in Japanese government detention, including the nine Afghanistan refugee applicants, and to call upon the Japanese mentioned above. Most of them are members of the Hazara eth- government to abandon its racist immigration policy.

The Fountain of Life

A joint statement for the 2002 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from the churches in Hong Kong

‘For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light.’ come our disunity, for it is only God’s light that can make us (NRSV) This verse from Psalm 36:9 shows God’s love for all his appreciate more deeply our need for unity. In the past we may creatures and, in particular, humankind. God is the strength have celebrated our differences but we know that such a path and the protector of humankind. God is the fountain from which in the future will never lead to the unity of the Spirit in the bond humankind can drink of the waters of life. of peace that Paul speaks of in Ephesians 4:3: ‘Do all you can to During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as we drink preserve the unity of Spirit by the peace that binds you together.’ from this fountain of life, we broaden our vision and discover On the road to unity, we need God’s gift of wisdom and his joy. new and fresh ways to bear witness to Christ. We learn how to Only through such blessed gifts from God can we, the faithful become instruments of healing and harmony as Christians and along with other people of good will, praise and glorify god children of God. We begin to realise more deeply that life is a who is Father, Son and Holy spirit. As they are one, we too must great gift from God, and we pledge ourselves to work for that strive to live in peace and unity with all our brothers and sisters healing and harmony which God wills. who share our Christian discipleship. In our hearts we pray Hong Kong is a diverse community of different races, reli- fervently, ‘O God remove the obstacles that divide us, put to gions, cultures and languages, all of which in various ways di- rest all our anxieties. Let us taste your life and see your light vide us socially. But as Christians we know we are called upon forever.’ Amen. to walk the path of reconciliation and harmony, the path of peace and justice that marks the presence of the reign of God on earth. Diocesan Ecumenical Commission of the And yet, we ourselves as Christians have yet to find that path. Hong Kong Catholic Church Only through confidence, understanding and mutual care can Church Unity and Relations Committee, we reach our goal. Let us pray fervently for the light to over- Hong Kong Christian Council

CCA News March 2002 9 Global Currents Towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development Ten years after the World Summit on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, plans are under way for the Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), set for Johannesburg, South Africa, on 26 August – 4 September 2002. This is to be called the ‘Johannesburg Summit 2002’

elegates representing states and ing the use of our natural resources governments, intergovernment beyond the earth’s carrying capacity’. Dorganisations, businesses, and The World Council of Churches nongovernment organisations from (WCC), in collaboration with regional around the world met in New York on churches and ecumenical organisa- 28 January – 8 February for the sec- tions, set up an ‘Ecumenical Team’ ond session of the global preparatory (ET) to participate in the summit and committee for the summit. attend the sessions of the preparatory Generally, ‘nobody seems to be committee. The task of the ET is two- happy about how Rio’s resolutions on fold: to promote ethical and moral val- environmental security and economic ues in sustainable development and to growth have been implemented by gov- develop guidelines for churches and ernments and the private sector. And religious communities in combating everybody has an opinion about what poverty and promoting sustainable should be done at Johannesburg to al- livelihood. leviate global poverty and protect natu- Religious communities are very ral resources,’ reported the Earth much concerned about the progress of Times. the recommendations made at the Nevertheless, poverty alleviation Earth Summit, especially the Agenda and sustainable development are con- 21, a global plan of action for sustain- tinuing prime concerns of all partners able development that contains over of the Johannesburg Summit. To com- 2,500 wide-ranging recommendations bat poverty needs a comprehensive for action. Still, according to the re- perspective. Three major interlinking port of the UN Secretary General, about pillars for sustainable development in- 1.2 billion (20 per cent of the world’s clude economic growth and equity, population) live with an income less conserving natural resources and en- than US$1 per day. Of the estimated vironment, and social development. 815 million people in the world who ‘We live on one planet, connected are undernourished, an estimated 777 in a delicate, intricate web of ecologi- million live in developing regions, 27 cal, social, economic and cultural re- million in transition countries, and lationships that shape our lives. 11 million in industrialised countries. Achieving sustainable development will The Ecumenical Team emphasised require greater responsibility—for that what is required of churches and ecosystems on which all life depends, religious communities in our midst is for each other as a single human community and for the genera- the development of life and hope. ‘The challenge before us is to tions that will follow our own,’ says Dr Kofi Annan, Secretary Gen- reverse the impact of a growth-driven development model that has eral of the United Nations. brought about the worst environmental crisis and world poverty He elaborated that ‘sustainable development calls for improv- that we have ever witnessed and experienced.’ Instead of referring ing the quality of life of all of the world’s people without increas- to ‘sustainable development’, we need to work toward the building

10 CCA News March 2002 of sustainable communities, which requires a just and moral economy where people are empowered to participate in decisions affecting their lives, where public and private institutions are held accountable for the social and environmental consequences of their operations, and where the earth is nurtured rather than exploited and degraded. The religious communities attending the second WSSD Prepara- tory Committee (PrepCom 2) meeting urged all partners to take ethical and moral values as important components of sustainable development. At the end of PrepCom 2, the chairperson of the Johannesburg Summit read the drafted paper, which contained a list of issues to be taken by heads of states and governments, such as poverty eradi- Ecumenical team at the New York meeting with WCC General cation, changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and pro- Secretary Konrad Raiser duction, protecting and managing natural resources base of economic and social development, sustainable development in a Toward the Johannesburg Summit there will be two more globalising world, health and sustainable development, sustainable PrepCom meetings in New York (25 March – 5 April) and in Ja- development of small island developing states, and sustainable karta (27 May – 7 June). —Prawate Khid-arn development initiatives for Africa. (a member of the Ecumenical Team, at left in photo) New Filipino Coalition against US Military Presence ore than a thousand representatives of political blocks, controlling the Asia-Pacific region to ‘further secure its own inter- political parties, coalitions, people’s organisations and in- ests and huge investments in the region’. The group sees the in- Mdividuals participated in the formal launching of the ‘Gath- volvement of the US troops in the anti–Abu Sayyaf operations as ering for Peace Coalition’ at Ellinwood Church, Malate, Manila, in compounding, not hastening a solution of the problem. the Philippines, on 12 February. The group affirmed a common commitment to defend Philip- Coming from various religious backgrounds and political per- pine national sovereignty against foreign intervention, and com- suasions, they expressed alarm that the Philippine government is mitted themselves to vigorously oppose the current US military not undertaking pro-Filipino reforms to stop the onslaught of the operations and any form of intervention in Philippine affairs. The forces of globalisation, but has instead allowed the US to set up its group asserted that ‘the path to true and lasting peace is one that Trojan horse of US military forces in the country. They named the addresses poverty and the historical injustices against an oppressed presence of American combat forces in the country as USA’s way of people’. NCCP: US Intervention is Travesty against God’s Will

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) strongly presence of military forces will expose the people in their areas of denounced the entry of US military troops in the country, purport- operations to the danger of being caught in the crossfire. Displace- edly for the latest round of ‘Balikatan’ exercises. In a statement ment of civilians and divestment of property will be natural conse- jointly issued on behalf of the Council on 1 February by the Rev. Dr quences, not to mention the other social costs to the women and Domingo J. Diel, Jr, NCCP chairperson, and Ms Sharon Rose Joy children. Ruiz-Duremdes, general secretary, the NCCP described the entry The NCCP criticised the Arroyo government for further enhanc- of American troops as an utter disregard of the country’s sover- ing a culture of dependency on foreign might, military strategies eignty and a violation of constitutional provisions. The Philippine and weaponry instead of developing homegrown solutions to the constitution bans the presence of foreign military troops following problems besetting the people. ‘As Christians, we affirm the admo- the abrogation of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement in 1991. nition of the Psalmist thus: “The war horse is a vain hope for vic- The NCCP believes that bombarding Mindanao with US and Fili- tory, and by its great might it cannot save” (Psalm 33:17),’ the pino troops could worsen rather than solve the problem. The mere NCCP statement concluded.

CCA News March 2002 11 CCA in Focus Youth Forthcoming Youth Activities The youth constituency of CCA looks forward to a number of programs lined up for the first half of the year

EASY Net National The May meeting would be the first gath- gically by providing Bible study and worship Coordinators Meeting ering of the national coordinators. It will materials for the celebration in October The EASY Net National Coordinators Meet- be a time for sharing, training, and plan- each year. AYW aims to rally the youth of ing is scheduled for 2–9 May in Bangkok, ning for closer networking and mutual co- CCA member churches and councils and its Thailand. EASY Net stands for ecumenical operation of these organisations. Resource network around a common theme. A small student and youth groups network and is material will be produced, in the form of a group of youth will be invited to plan the the outcome of the Asia Students and Youth manual, for the work of the national ecu- resource material. Gathering in 2000. It seeks closer collabo- menical teams and the national coordina- It is hoped that Protestant, Catholic and ration and mutual cooperation between the tors. Evangelical groups at local levels will jointly CCA Youth, WSCF-AP, Asia-Pacific Alliance organise an ecumenical gathering in the of YMCAs, IMCS, IYCS, and YWCA. Asia Youth Week 2002: form of a retreat, seminar, worship, forum The EASY Net functions through the Na- Colonialism and Historical or writing workshop relating to the theme tional Ecumenical Teams (NET) of the na- Grievances of the year. tional bodies of these organisations in Also scheduled in May this year is the plan- The theme suggested for 2002 is post- countries where they are present. Each NET ning meeting for this year’s Asia Youth Week colonialism and the historical grievances selects a national coordinator from their (AYW) observance. The AYW is a yearly cam- created by the colonial powers. This is to team. paign for youth concerns undertaken litur- address the issue of peace and reconcilia- New Youth Consultant eginning January 2002, and for a pe- riod of one year, the Christian Con- Bference of Asia has a youth consult- ant for the program area on Ecumenical Formation, Gender Justice and Youth Em- powerment in the person of Rakesh Peter Dass. Rakesh hails from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Madhya Pradesh. He completed Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce degrees at Nagpur Rakesh Peter Dass University. He also has an honour’s diploma in net- work-centred computing and a postgradu- and social, economic and religious confer- munication Unit. He helped in coordinat- ate diploma in international trade. He is also ences. ing the recent Asia Ecumenical Course of near to completion of a Master in Business His ecumenical experiences include par- CCA in Kerala, India, in August–September Administration in Human Resource Devel- ticipation in NCCI-URM seminars for youth 2001. He has also been part of the SCM and opment and Management and organising the ‘Seminar on Leadership YMCA at the local level. Rakesh has participated in management Development Initiating Ecumenical Refor- Rakesh has written and published arti- seminars, workshops on leadership skills, mation (SOLDIER) 2000’ with the NCCI cles and study papers on youth affairs, lead- environmental and ecological discussions General Secretariat, Youth Unit and Com- ership and developmental issues.

12 CCA News March 2002 tion by tracing the instituted conflicts that are rooted in and manifested by the colo- Meet the Youth Intern … nial experiences of many countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This year the AYW will be organised with Before She Goes the EASY Net partners as part of our com- mitment to increased networking among re- gional youth organisations. This will provide sharing of issues and distribution of the AYW materials to a larger network. The resources would also be shared by the EASY Net part- ners.

National Council Youth Secretaries Meeting, Korea The youth secretaries of the national coun- cils of churches (NCCs) in the region will meet in June in Korea. This will be an occa- sion for fellowship, for sharing and updat- Renemsongla Ozukum ing on youth activities and concerns, and for strategising on how to integrate youth enemsongla Ozukum, a young gust 2001, which ran for thirty-five days in work and the youth movement towards woman from Nagaland in India, Chiang Mai, Thailand. For six months, she achieving leadership development, ecu- R served as youth intern at the Chris- was tasked to compile the proceedings of menical formation and movement building. tian Conference of Asia, from July 2001 to that program. Then from January to March Inputs on the global youth works will up- March 2002. she was assigned to continue the col- date the national secretaries on trends and A Baptist from the Ao ethnic group of lection of materials for a Youth Worship issues and the global youth movement. Mokokchung, Nagaland, Ren graduated with Resourcebook, a work begun by another Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity youth intern some time ago. The book is to Internship degrees. Her Christian Youth Endeavour be a sequel to the popular resourcebook, Historically, CCA Youth has many positive training in her church denomination was Your Will Be Done, produced by an early experiences of internship as a method enriched by her involvement in the Student CCA Youth Desk. of ecumenical leadership development. Christian Movement. She recalled how the ‘Being a woman of the Fourth World in Internships give young people some expe- patriarchal culture of her society has tended a Third World country, I have numerous riences in the wider ecumenical movement. to look down on girl-children but that she limitations,’ she said with a laugh. ‘But in By being placed in the CCA centre and in- did not allow it to deter her desire to serve spite of all that, CCA staff members have teracting with the staff of CCA across the in God’s ministry. treated me with love and understanding. I other program areas, interns deepen their Speaking of her CCA internship, she said felt the warmth of a family here and that is knowledge and widen their thinking to en- she learned about this program at the WCC the best impression I have of this intern- compass the ecumenical movement at the (World Council of Churches) and NCCI (Na- ship.’ She added, ‘My being here as a tribal regional level. Care is exercised in the se- tional Council of Churches in India) youth woman enabled others to widen their lection of interns and their guidance empowerment training program in 2000. worldview and in turn my exposures here throughout their internship, and this is done What motivated her to take up the challenge strengthened my faith.’ by the Internship Committee and the youth to enter the wider ecumenical circle? The She considered the time gap from an staff. painful realisation that due to lack of aware- outgoing youth consultant to an incoming This year one intern will be chosen to ness, knowledge, modern technology and new one as most challenging for it raised help in the compilation and publication of media, poor transport and communication the issue of supervision and the need to a resource material from the EASY Net Na- facilities, her region of Northeast India has adjust to different leadership styles and per- tional Coordinators Meeting, be part of the often been isolated from the ecumenical spectives. And what about after internship? process of the Asia Youth Week 2002 and circle. Ren wanted to help break that isola- ‘Hmmm … I’ll try to fit in a movement for its publication, and help in other programs tion so she applied for internship. the people’s struggle for selfhood along with under this program cluster. The period of Ren’s internship began when she served the Ao Theological Association in my home the internship will be from July 2002 to as documenter of the School of Ecumenical country,’ she said with a big smile. December 2002. Leadership Formation (SELF) in July–Au- —Hope S. Antone

CCA News March 2002 13 CCA in Focus AIDS: A Challenge for Religious Response Statement from the CCA Consultation on HIV/AIDS in Thailand

e, the participants of the CCA ‘Con- the progress of HIV/AIDS infection, due to sultation on HIV/AIDS: A Challenge availability and affordability of anti- Wfor Religious Response’ held in retroviral treatment and better comprehen- Chiang Mai, Thailand, 25–30 November sive health care and support. 2001, having heard, discussed and deliber- The epidemiological pattern of HIV var- ated on reports about the prevention, care ies in countries and within countries. Gov- and treatment of people living with HIV/ ernments fear to recognise, accept and AIDS from fourteen countries in the Asia- admit the existence of AIDS as they believe Pacific region, celebrate with joy: it would be detrimental to tourism and for- • the solidarity, strength and support ex- eign investments. But countries such as tended by the world community, Thailand that have dared to openly admit especially the community-based organi- the existence of AIDS have succeeded in sations, religious institutions, non-gov- reducing the numbers affected as antici- ernment organisations and faith-based pated in the projections made by UNAIDS. organisations, in addressing the HIV/ the rock and the refuge, calls us to be the AIDS crisis that threatens to be the most good and compassionate neighbours, the Emerging Issues and devastating disease of the twenty-first loyal and faithful friends who lowered their Challenges century, sick friend from the roof of the house. We view with concern the following emerg- • the encouraging signs of new drugs in Churches and faith-based organisations ing issues and challenges arising out of this the medical field that mitigate suffering are challenged to follow in the footsteps of ongoing crisis: and extend the lifespan of people living the Lord— • Despite the encouraging developments with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), • who stood with people who were mar- PLWHA still face significant discrimina- • the great strides made in the field of ginalised, discriminated against and stig- tion and stigmatisation and are denied health care, hospitals, children’s homes matised, the opportunity to fully participate in and awareness education by the increas- • who healed not only physical ailments their communities. This stigma also ex- ing number of organisations, both secu- but understood and healed the deep tends to and affects other members of lar and religious, committed to this scars and wounds inflicted by society, the families of PLWHA and can be espe- cause, • who wept and empathised with human cially traumatic for children. • the indomitable spirit, courage, wisdom, suffering. • Many social and cultural practices and foresight and timely action taken by beliefs contribute to the escalation of some countries such as Thailand to com- The Asian Situation HIV and are barriers to conveying effec- bat HIV/AIDS. More than 15 million people are living with tive HIV prevention messages. These Yet in spite of all these encouraging signs, HIV/AIDS in Asia. HIV/AIDS cuts across geo- practices also inhibit open and honest we are appalled at the statistics, which re- graphical boundaries, class, gender, sexual discussion of human sexuality, both in main staggering. orientation, ethnicities and age groups. the church and in society. Though it has devastating influences in both • Women and children are placed at great An Affirmation of Faith rich and poor nations, it has spread more risk of HIV because they have the least God created all and cares for everyone. The rapidly in poor and developing countries, power to negotiate safe sex. Due to cul- God we strive to follow is one who hears further aggravating the economic conditions tural and biological factors women and the cries of suffering people and inspires and its social consequences. The more af- children are more vulnerable to sexual us to work for a better world. Jesus the great fluent Asian countries, such as Australia, exploitation and HIV infection. In some and beloved physician, the good shepherd, Japan and Taiwan, have the capacity to limit countries, widows of HIV positive hus-

14 CCA News March 2002 bands are denied the right to inherit- ance, leading to economic exploitation. • HIV-positive children born to HIV posi- tive parents may die within ten years. Children who are HIV negative continue to hear the stigma and are forced into situations or practices where they are exposed to HIV, such as injecting drugs or sex work, because of rejection by peers and society, or lack of love and hope, thus continuing the vicious cycle. • The impact on families where parents have died or can no longer care for chil- dren and elderly people is enormous. Elderly people in turn have to care for their grandchildren when they them- selves may be frail and in need of care. The loss of people who are in the pro- ductive age group of 19–44 has a huge Participants of the CCA consultation on AIDS at a centre during an exposure visit social and economic impact. • Market dynamics due to the World Trade multisectoral and multifaith levels. There- medicine and respect for the human Organisation Treaty and other financial fore the church is called to be a healing rights of PLWHA, instruments like patent rights and intel- community and to be a model of compas- • engaging in prayerful dialogue and net- lectual property rights have inflated the sion and love for all. working with other churches, faith com- cost of treatment and drugs, putting The church at all levels, international, munities and secular organisations in these new drugs out of the reach of the regional, national and local, has an impor- order to encourage each other in the on- majority of PLWHA who come from de- tant role to play in: going struggle to meet the challenge of veloping countries. • challenging the negative, judgmental at- HIV/AIDS. • Developing countries that are burdened titudes that still exist towards people We call on the governments of Asia: with debt repayments find it difficult to with HIV/AIDS, • to affirm the human rights and dignity allocate sufficient funds for the preven- • decreasing fear and misconceptions of all people, including those living with tion and treatment of HIV/AIDS. about of HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS, especially women and chil- • providing accurate information about dren, A Call to Action HIV/AIDS, including prevention informa- • to legislate against discrimination and HIV/AIDS is an ongoing crisis that requires tion, and information about HIV services stigmatisation by ensuring the basic a sustained and sustainable response at that may assist PLWHA, rights of people with HIV/AIDS and their • encouraging equal par- families to adequate health care, edu- ticipation of PLWHA in cation and employment, planning and delivering • to allocate adequate resources and pro- HIV/AIDS programs and vide programs that serve to decrease the services, incidence and impact of HIV/AIDS in the • providing practical and region. pastoral support for peo- ple living with HIV/AIDS Conclusion and their families, espe- This then is the time: cially to women and chil- • to heal, dren, • to care, not only by providing services • advocating for appropri- but also by standing alongside with love, ate legislation and poli- • to build a community of belonging and cies that address the acceptance, needs and rights of • to transform prejudice into compassion, PLWHA, which include healing and understanding, access to treatment and • to live with hope and die with dignity.

CCA News March 2002 15 CCA in Focus Dealing with Diverse Identities in a Changing Asia A statement adopted by the participants of a consultation organised by CCA and the WCC, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 24–28 November 2001

• The conflict situation in Sri Lanka is of ethnic origin and has its genesis in a long political history of marginalisation. • Some of the major conflicts in the Phil- ippines could be attributed to the im- pact of globalisation. The movement of migrant workers, trafficking of women, conversion of agricultural lands for the use of the TNCs, destruction of forests, the displacement of the indigenous peo- ple from other lands etc. have displaced people, destroyed community bonds, eroded social values and resulted in the commodification of identities. • The conflict in Mindanao continues to be prolonged. The historic 1996 peace accord between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front has re- cently been broken, imperilling the on- going peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front—the other Bangsa Moro group that has waged a struggle for an independent state in Muslim- e, the Christian and Muslim partici- An Overview of Some dominated areas of Mindanao. pants of the Consultation on ‘Deal- Significant Conflicts in Our • The indigenous people in the Asia-Pa- Wing with Diverse Identities in a Asian Life cific region continue to struggle for their Changing Asia’ come from different Asian • The ethnic and religious conflicts be- right to land and human settlement, right countries—Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, tween Christian and Muslim in Indo- to self-determination, and right to cul- Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, nesia, particularly in Ambon, North ture, language and education. Australia, Thailand and the Philippines. Maluku, Sulawesi etc., have already dis- • In the post–Cold War era, the continued In an attempt to contribute to the ongo- placed thousands of people internally. division of North and South Korea is an ing reflection and action around the global Assertion of religious identities has be- anomaly that continues to cause suffer- process of the Decade to Overcome Vio- come a major source of violence in In- ing and instability for the people of the lence, we have gathered here to reflect upon dia, the Philippines and many other Korean peninsula. the phenomenal diversity that characterises Asian countries. This assertion draws its • The political and economic margin- Asian life, with a view to identifying possi- energy from the realisation that arises alisation continues to create and sustain bilities and resources from our experience out of marginalisation and unequal or fear and suspicion among various eth- as one people with diverse identities living unfair distribution of power within the nic communities that make up Myanmar. often in the midst of tension and conflicts. structures of the society.

16 CCA News March 2002 We Are Challenged • We acknowledge the learning arising tion with others arising from shared These hard realities that constitute our life from the struggles of Minjung and Dalit identities at some points. in Asia pose crucial ethical challenges. We peoples for identity and dignity. We rec- • Playing a transformative role. Appropri- believe that this situation calls us to ognise the creative possibilities in ate the image of ‘salt’ for the cause of go through a process of introspection, Minjung and Dalit theologies which re- justice. sensitisation and involvement in the strug- capture the centrality of justice and the • Rereading and reinterpreting religious gles of people for justice and human rights. poor in the affirmation of Christian faith. texts in the context of increasing frag- We affirm that our diverse identities, • We rejoice over the experiences where, mentation of life in the Asian context. which evolve and are being renewed, in times of crises, people of various • Discovering new meanings of living faith- are precious and distinct to the Asian life. faiths work hard together to rebuild fully in a context characterised by We believe that attempts towards homogeni- communities in a spirit of goodwill and globalisation, fragmentation and polari- sation of culture are destructive to the spirit active cooperation. sation. of the people and to the communities. We • We celebrate the important spiritual and • Developing liturgical and theological recognise the need to explore the life- unifying values embodied in many festi- resources that affirm and celebrate di- affirming and community-building myths, vals, practices, stories and symbols of versity. legends, proverbs and philosophical axioms various religious traditions in Asia. We • Rethinking the denominational witness in each culture of Asia which speak of over- call on the churches to welcome the re- of the Asian churches, in openness to coming the forces of ignorance, supersti- sources that these offer. God who reconciles and unites. tion, oppression, exclusion, and poverty. • We affirm the life- and peace-affirming • Actively getting involved in initiatives to- We take note of the way the following and community-building qualities of our wards conflict transformation and re- factors use and portray diversity as nega- religious traditions of Buddhism, Chris- sponding committedly to the call to be tive terms rather than in the positive: tianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, in the ministry of reconciliation in all • The phenomenon of economic global- Sikhism and various traditional reli- situations of conflict. isation embodies in itself threats and gions. • As identity blooms only in relationships, possibilities to diminish the plurality of the need to reflect further on the possi- cultures in Asia today. Some Creative Possibilities bility of a theology of wholeness. • The powerful among the religious com- for the Affirmation of Our • Theologies based on justice, peace and munities use religion as an instrument Diversity human dignity to be developed across in their struggles. • A shared vision of justice to be a rally- geographical boundaries. • Structural violence that certain commu- ing point to bring the excluded people • Searching for the affirmation of human nities are consistently subjected to is a of diverse backgrounds. identity to begin from the point of view breeding ground for more forms and • Active interreligious cooperation for jus- of persons with bloodied identities, rec- expressions of violence. tice and peace. ognising that such violated persons may • Media and technology deny, deride and • Facilitating understanding and goodwill become engaged in justified violence. impose identities that do not build peo- among communities in all diverse con- • Ensuring legal justice to indigenous peo- ple and communities. texts. ples in their struggles to reclaim their Despite all these challenges ... • Shedding prejudices arising from iden- lands and rights. tities that are diverse We Have Reasons to due to gender, race, Celebrate and Rejoice HIV/AIDS status, caste, • We celebrate our rich diversity of reli- class, sexuality, religion, gions, cultures, languages, ethnicities disability and other and traditions that compel us to uphold identities and respecting the value of the community and the hu- the identities others man being. choose for themselves. • We celebrate the irruption of the mar- • The need to accept our ginalised as they struggle for new struc- multiple identities in tures of relationships based on justice, different contexts (for peace, unity and freedom. example both as parent, • We affirm the aspirations for human dig- worker, Dalit, woman). nity and ‘fullness of life for all’ in the Understanding these face of globalisation which commodifies alerts us to possible identities. bases for common ac-

CCA News March 2002 17 Urban Rural Mission Wrestling with Change NCCI-URM staff meeting shares stories of pain, suffering, frustration, joy and hope in community

conference of the NCCI-URM staff and globally. In the face of many forces of de- following issues: committee was held at the CSI Synod humanisation, the URM is to act as channel • Tribal/Adivasis’ struggle for the preser- ACentre in Chennai, India, 26–28 Janu- to rekindle and affirm the people’s hope for vation of their life and culture. ary. It was the first staff conference after the justice and liberation. The participants af- • Dalits’ struggles for self-identity and merger of URM with the NCCI in 1997. firmed the role of the URM as the salt and equal rights. Present were fifty-seven participants repre- the leaven in the various struggles of the • Rights of minorities. senting about thirty grassroots level organi- people—especially the Dalits, indigenous • Children’s rights. sations/institutions. Josef P. Widyatmadja people, and other toiling masses, both • Human rights. and Wati Longchar represented CCA. Josef within the church and the wider society. This • Rights of organised and unorganised shared some concerns of URM life and mis- role can be expressed by being in solidar- workers. sion in light of the fast-changing Asian sce- ity with them, supporting and strengthen- The National Committee of the URM in nario, while Wati spoke on the indigenous ing them. It can also be in confronting all India decided to continue being part of the people’s struggle in Asia. forms of oppression, including state oppres- NCCI, acknowledging the present relation- Each participant shared stories and ex- sion, e.g. anti-people acts and draconian ship, autonomy and encouragement as im- periences of pain, suffering, frustration, joy legislation that impinge on the civil liber- portant for effective functioning. and hope in community. In those struggles, ties of Dalits, Tribals/Adivasis, women etc. While in Chennai, Josef and Wati also they recognised God’s presence and active It can also be in sharing their pain and joys visited the community project of the Lu- intervention. It was a time of rededication as well as their hopes and aspirations to- theran Women’s Centre. The centre is in- and recommitment to work for the cause of wards the creation of a just and equitable volved in serving children, refugees and the marginalised people in society. society. It can also be in reaffirming faith in women. The director of the centre is Ms V.R. The participants also recognised that in Jesus and reminding one another of his call Vidhya Rani, a member of the program area the new millennium the URM has to con- for all to be his disciples and agents of the committee of FMU. tinue wrestling with socioeconomic and work of liberation. In the coming two years, —Wati Longchar and political changes occurring nationally and the participants reaffirm to struggle with the Josef Widyatmadja

18 CCA News March 2002 Meet the Presidents of CCA—2

nthony Row was born in Kuala With the talents he has and with his fi- Lumpur in Malaysia. As a young per- nancial background as manager of the lo- A son he began working for the Youth Anthony cal conference and in the secular world as Forum, and although brought up a Catho- managing director of Mitsubishi Electrical lic, many of his friends were Methodists and in Malaysia, Anthony had greatness thrust he ended up worshipping in the Methodist upon him when the 11th CCA General As- church and marrying a young woman from Row sembly in Tomohon decided to bring in the Methodist church. some new blood and elected him as one of As the eldest of five children he sup- its four presidents. ported them through school and began One of the mandates of the 11th Gen- working for the civil service for two years. eral Assembly was to seek closer relation- All the while he was active in church work, ships and communication with Christian especially in rural areas, teaching Sunday churches and bodies that are not part of school, instructing in hygiene and helping CCA. Anthony has links with and is especially people with social problems. interested in relationships with Evangelical In his desire to know more about the churches. He has been involved in discus- scriptures Anthony went to India to study sions between CCA and the Asia Evangelical theology. He went to Union Bible Seminary Fellowship on ways to develop a closer re- in Yeotmal and was involved with the Tamil lationship between the two bodies, to dis- Conference of the Methodist Church. His cover what we can do working together in grandfather had come from India, but An- Asia. thony’s experience of that country, working Anthony Row feels that CCA needs to be with the poor and marginalised, was some- revamped, especially in terms of its think- thing of a cultural shock, but was Anthony also has qualifications in busi- ing. He considers we need to change CCA’s also a highpoint in his understanding of ness administration. mindset and develop new creative thinking. interreligious dialogue, relating with peo- In the mid-1980s following the family’s We cannot just maintain the status quo. ple of many religions and different circum- return to Malaysia, Anthony once again be- Another need is to build up new leaders stances. came involved with the church. He main- with a vision for ecumenism. With his busi- Back in Malaysia Anthony began work- tains that ‘all I am is because of the training ness background Anthony realises that this ing with his church as a resource person, I received in the church’. He became chair- must be ‘sold’ to others. We need to mar- when his wife received a scholarship to do man of his local church’s executive com- ket CCA more. a master’s degree in library studies in Wales. mittee in the Tamil Methodist Church in Anthony Row brigs a fresh, new dynamic By then the Rows had two boys, Adam and Kuala Lumpur, and worked on various com- to CCA and an energy and enthusiasm for Shelton, and the whole family went to the mittees of the Council of Churches in Ma- the organisation that must be to its benefit. UK. While there Anthony studied law. laysia. —Geoff Alves Scholarship for Women

The World Council of Churches has announced that the will go to study at the Evangelical Seminary of Matanzas Sarah Chakko Theological Endowment Fund (SCTEF) is in Cuba. ready to provide scholarship grants for church women SCTEF seeks to empower church women from the from the southern hemisphere and Central/Eastern Europe. southern hemisphere and Central/Eastern Europe by Launched during the Ecumenical Decade Festival in Harare, providing sustainable financial supports for them to Zimbabwe, in December 1998, the fund was one of the undertake theological studies in their home or festival’s initiatives to continue support and advocacy for neighbouring countries. women of the church after ending the Ecumenical Decade For more information, contact Elis Widen, Intern for of Churches in Solidarity with Women (1988–1998). SCTEF, Education and Ecumenical Formation/Ecumenical The fund is part of the work of churches together, the Theological Education, World Council of Churches, phone fellowships, the commitments and stewardships through +41 22 791 6144, fax +41 22 791 0361 or email the WCC. Initially, four female students from Nicaragua [email protected].

CCA News March 2002 19 Reflections The War on Terror Ninan Koshy The War on Terror—a War in the New World Order. When the attacks oc- Asia curred two claims were made. One was that It is likely that the present period of history it was an attack on justice, freedom and may be called the period of the War on Ter- democracy all over the world. So the whole ror. After the end of the Cold War commen- ‘civilised’ world had to respond. When tators and historians were finding it difficult something happened in the United States it to give a name to the period of history and was projected as a concern for all the world. simply called it the post–Cold War period. But when atom bombs killed hundreds of Many Western leaders have stated that the thousands in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it War on Terror (WOT) may be as long as was a matter for the Japanese. The Rwanda the Cold War. genocide was a Rwandan affair. The East President George W. Bush made two dec- Timor massacres and pillage were only con- larations of war. The first one was soon af- cerns for the East Timorese. ter the September 11 events. He declared a Making the world safer The universalist claims of events in the war on terrorism. He did not name the en- for globalisation USA seem to suggest that the destinies and emies. He said that the immediate aim of tragedies of other nations and peoples are the war was to bring Osama bin Laden to China gave support to the USA in the WOT insignificant. There are serious ethical is- justice or bring justice to him. But he added mainly because of terrorism within their sues involved in such claims. Every human that it would not stop with that. The second own borders. They were made to under- life is precious and every nation is under declaration of war was made by the Presi- stand that the US military presence would God’s judgement. No special claims have dent in his State of the Union Address on not continue after the war against Afghani- validity. 29 January when he spoke of the ‘next stage’ stan. Now they realise that the US military The other claim was that September 11 of the WOT against the ‘axis of evil’, includ- presence in the region will continue indefi- began a new era in international affairs. Yet, ing Iraq, Iran and North Korea. nitely. China is specially concerned about as Stanley Hoffman pointed out (New York For a body such as CCA, it is important this. Review of Books, November 1), this is mis- to take into account the significance of all It is most likely that the US had plans leading. It did not change power relations. this for Asia. The first stage of the war was for intervention in Afghanistan for some It was used to reinforce the military superi- in Afghanistan, in Central Asia. It was fol- time. The events of September 11 provided ority and hegemony of the USA. lowed by heavy military presence of the USA enough justification for these. in Afghanistan, Pakistan and some Central Who Are the Terrorists? Asian republics. This presence is likely to Understanding September 11 It is difficult to define terrorism or a terror- continue for a long time. The US military The WOT is sought to be justified as a reac- ist. States revise their definitions of has moved into Southeast Asia, in the Phil- tion to the events of September 11, 2001. terrorism and the lists of terrorist organi- ippines, re-establishing its presence in the The terrorist acts of that day in the USA have sations. The classical description that ‘one region. By including North Korea in the ‘axis to be condemned in the strongest terms. person’s terrorist is another person’s free- of evil’, justification is sought for reinforce- There can be no justification whatsoever for dom fighter’ has a lot of truth in it. Former ment of a US military presence in Northeast taking the lives of innocent people and caus- terrorists have become leaders of nations Asia. Tensions have increased in all these ing such destruction. and some of them have joined the WOT. In regions of Asia. There has been heavy US The events of that day have to be seen in 1985, when such organisations as the PLO military presence in West Asia for a long a historical perspective and with a sense of and even the African National Congress were time. proportion. The attacks were on carefully in the list of terrorist organisations of the There are other implications too. The selected symbols of the economic strength US State Department, one morning a recep- WOT brought India and Pakistan almost to and the military might of the USA. They were tion was given in the White House by the brink of war. The continuing tension be- attacks on US soil. Security policies, threat President Reagan to a group of Afghan tween these two countries possessing nu- perceptions, defence strategy and intelli- ‘Mujahideen’ leaders. Reagan described clear weapons is made use of by the USA, gence of the biggest military power failed. them as freedom fighters ‘who uphold the for intervention in the region. Russia and The events challenged many assumptions of (continued on page 22)

20 CCA News March 2002 A Turn Around Ahn Jae Woong The Myth of the Cave lighting in his new-found freedom. But in- truth about this age of terror that we are in. In his classical work, The Republic, Plato stead, he thinks of all the others who are We continue to experience the aftermath of likens the human condition to the situation still down in the cave. He goes back to con- the September 11 attacks on the World of people who have been trapped since vince the other cave-dwellers that the shad- Trade Centre in New York, the Pentagon in childhood in an underground cave. The ows on the cave wall are but flickering Washington DC and in Philadelphia. Accord- story is a very famous one, known as the reflections of real things. But they don’t be- ing to Paul Kennedy, in his article ‘Main- myth of the cave. Plato tells how the trapped lieve him as that is all that they can see there taining the American Power: From Injury to people cannot turn around but can only is. There is, to Plato, the equivalent in the Recovery’ in the book The Age of Terror: look at a wall. Behind them a fire blazes everyday world of the Form of the Good in America and the World after September and between them and the fire, men pass the intelligible world. We are living in a 11 (2001), ‘the major elements of Ameri- along behind a parapet, carrying objects, similar situation just like the cave-dwellers. can Grand Strategy is its military strength, including statues and figures of animals. The its productive competitiveness and its dip- objects cast shadows on the wall, just like The Cave of Today lomatic skills. Each element is vital, and all puppets in a puppet show, which are illu- We are in a cave when we are trapped into three are under pressure’ (p. 61). However, minated from behind. The prisoners also believing certain things that the hegemonic the assumption of the American Grand Strat- hear echoes of the voices of those carrying power wants us to believe—such as to think egy is still the mentality of ‘America as the objects. that we are the good guys who are victims Number One’. After September 11, America The point is that reality for them is con- of terrorism while the perpetrators are the turned around in order to protect its home- stituted by shadows and echoes even though bad guys who must be sought and killed by land security. It is very much like taking care they are merely copies of the real thing. As all means. We are in a cave when we are of her megacave. a result, they can only have a vague idea of, trapped into thinking that national security Along with the so-called ‘New War on say, what a horse was like, since they would is the most important thing in the world and Terrorism’, US President George W. Bush have likely seen the flickering shadow of a military might is the way to ensure it. has identified what he calls the ‘axis of evil’, crude model, and not a horse itself. We are in a cave when we think that naming certain countries of the world, with Plato goes on to show how difficult it globalisation is the only way for this world the potential of pitting countries against would be for a prisoner who was released. to become one global village when we know each other. The first thing he asks himself is where did how it has widened the gap between the Those of us who come from South Ko- all these shadows on the cave wall come haves and the have-nots of the world. We rea find this very threatening as naming from? What do you think happens when he are in a cave if we do not know the truth of North Korea part of the axis of evil poses a turns around and sees the figures being held what is going on around us. big threat to our still unstable relations on up above the wall? To begin with, he is daz- the Korean peninsula. zled by the sharp sunlight. He is also daz- What Is Happening outside Of course there are other types of caves zled by the clarity of the figures because the Cave? we inhabit and these are well protected by until now he has only seen their shadows. The truth is we are equal participants in the the walls of our ideologies, religions and If he manages to climb over the wall and processes of globalisation and terrorism traditions. We become blinded by our loy- gets past the fire into the world outside, he going on in the world. There is no clear dis- alty to such traditions that we cannot see will be even more dazzled. But after rub- tinction between the bad guys and the good the possibility of something other than what bing his eyes he will be struck by the beauty guys, or the victims and the perpetrators of we know to be the truth. of everything. For the first time, he will see terrorism. As long as we have participated The monopoly of information brought colours and clear shapes. He will see real in the injustices that breed rage and anger, about by globalised media power supports animals and flowers that the cave shadows and which then erupts into violence, we are the myth of the cave. were only poor reflections of. Then he will also participants in the process of terror- It is true that with the development of see the sun in the sky and realise that this ism itself. satellite and cable services and more lib- is what gives life to these flowers and ani- eral media regulation, the television mals, just as the fire makes the shadows vis- Breaking the Myth markets are moving from a national to ible. The now released cave-dweller can go And so we need to break down the myth of transnational scale. In fact CNN can bring on skipping away into the countryside, de- the cave by understanding and analysing the you real-time access to news stories across

CCA News March 2002 21 Reflections the world, such as we clearly experienced A Turn Around experience him as real in our lives. Our only at the time of the Gulf War in 1991, the ter- In the light of all this, what has our text to assurance, based on the gospel story, is that rorist attacks on American soil and the say to us? ‘Simon Peter said to the others, Jesus does not give up on us. Instead, he American retaliation on to Afghanistan in “I am going fishing.” “We will come with calls us to cast the net on the right side, the 2001 and onwards. But the problem is that you,” they told him. So they went out in a other side, of the boat. Jesus calls us to news coverage is too much laden with the boat, but all that night they did not catch a imagine and try new ways, to venture into perspective and agenda of the monopolis- thing.’ (John 21:3) the unfamiliar and unknown. I think this is ing and hegemonic power that controls the It sounds just like what is happening to what it takes to break down the myth of the information superhighway. us in the ecumenical movement, in theo- cave and to truly understand the real life If we only try to hear or read between logical education, in church ministry. We outside the cave. the lines, what we can see is a case of glo- are working as hard as ever but it seems A turn around means being attentive to bal frustration that manifests in genocide, that we have not achieved anything. And so what is going on around the world, not terrorist attacks, crime against humanity, we have a sense of hopelessness and frus- based on what actors of the hegemonic mo- collective punishment or forced mass ex- tration. Very often we claim that Jesus is nopolising power would have us believe. A pulsion of people, environmental degrada- standing in the heart of our life, but we turn around means letting go of such brain- tion and so on. sometimes lack the capacity to truly find and washing slogans as ‘national security’ and

The War on Terror even by the US that they acted under instruc- brought stability to Afghanistan. The situa- tions from the Taliban government. The USA tion changed with the attacks on US embas- (continued from page 20) says it invaded Afghanistan because the Af- sies in East Africa which the US believed ideals of the founding fathers of the USA’. ghan government refused to extradite bin were planned by bin Laden. Then it became In 1986 the CIA supported an ISI (Pakistani Laden. After all, the declared aim of the war necessary to replace Taliban with a pro-US intelligence) plan to bring Islamic militants was to bring bin Laden to justice or bring government in Afghanistan. As was the case from different parts of the world to justice to him. By the third week of Octo- in the Gulf War the US eyes in the Afghani- be trained and armed to fight with the ber the aim became to dislodge the Taliban stan war were also on oil. ‘Mujahideen’ against the Soviet Union. from power and install a new government Osama bin Laden was one of those who in Afghanistan. The aims of the war were The War, the United Nations came. The USA thus was responsible for the changed from time to time. This served two and International Law founding of the terrorist organisation which purposes. One was that success against al Important issues in international law have has now become its enemy No. 1. Terror- Qaeda could be claimed even when bin been raised by the WOT. There is nothing ism in all forms should be condemned. It is Laden was not caught and success against in the UN Charter or Security Council deci- an act of violence aimed primarily at un- Taliban could be claimed even when its sions that make the US war on Afghanistan armed civilians. Terrorism does not pro- leader was at large. The other purpose was legitimate. The claim of the right to self- mote the cause of freedom or liberation. to hide the real aims of the WOT. Equating defence under article 51 of the charter is When reference is made to terrorism it is WOT with war on Afghanistan helped to sim- not valid in the absence of any attack or usually about organisations and individuals. plify the issues. The US military can tackle threat of attack from Afghanistan. There But states also indulge in terrorism when Afghanistan. It cannot deal with terrorism were two Security Council resolutions on the they exceed the legitimate use of force. This or its root causes. September 11 events and terrorism. Neither is ‘state terrorism’. In fact more acts of ter- The US interest in oil and natural gas in mentions Afghanistan. The letter given by the ror have been perpetrated by states than by the region is well known. America had no US Ambassador to the UN on 7 October, the organisations or individuals. particular objection to Taliban coming to day after launching the attack on Afghani- power in Afghanistan with the direct sup- stan, said, ‘We are at an early stage of our How Did the WOT Become a port of Pakistan. In fact it seriously consid- inquiry. If necessary, we will take an action War against Afghanistan? ered recognising the Taliban regime. The against other organisations and countries.’ The United States began bombing Afghani- US corporation UNOCAL had negotiations This had nothing to do with self-defence. It stan on 6 October. In an article in the In- with the Taliban government regarding pipe- was in open defiance of the UN and inter- ternational Herald Tribune, William Pfaff lines for oil and gas from Central Asian re- national law. Was there another route the asked the question, ‘How did the war against publics through Afghanistan. The US US could have followed? Yes. The horrific terror become a war against Afghanistan? government was involved in these as well attacks on September 11 were ‘a crime Not a single Afghan was involved in the at- as other negotiations with the Taliban gov- against humanity’. If there was evidence that tacks against the US. Those listed by the FBI ernment. At that time UNOCAL and the US it was committed by bin Laden, he should were all Saudi citizens. There was no claim government thought that Taliban had have been brought to trial. A special inter-

22 CCA News March 2002 ‘peace through military might’. A turn is true: ‘They may look and look, yet not and work for freedom. And let us turn around means not just looking at ourselves see; they may listen and listen, yet not un- around to our neighbours in order to share and proudly claiming possession of the derstand.’ (Mark 4:12) that dream and work together to make it a truth. A turn around means finding some As Plato indicated, the released prisoner reality. As the writer of the epistle to truth and beauty about other civilisations, had a hard time trying to convince others Ephesians wrote, ‘Do not be foolish, but religions, and traditions. A turn around of his new found freedom and of his expe- understand what the will of God is.’ means being open to the beauty of the other rience of the new world outside the cave. (Ephesians 5:17) We can understand God’s side of the world, which may be far better The other cave-dwellers could hardly be- will better if we are able to transcend the than one’s own imagination. lieve and understand that they instead caves we inhabit and to will ourselves to Our risen Lord Jesus is constantly call- threatened to kill him. freedom, to a life beyond the cave. ing on us to turn around from old habits, It is exactly happening in Asia and the old beliefs, old customs, old thoughts, old rest of the world. Those who are in the cave This meditation was shared by Ahn Jae traditions and old work patterns. The prob- do not want to hear anything, and do not Woong, CCA general secretary, at the lem is that we have no capacity to hear his try to understand what other religions and chapel at San Francisco Theological voice because we have become so accus- cultures are all about. Let us not be like Seminary in San Francisco, California, tomed to the old ways. What the Bible says those cave-dwellers. Rather, let us dream on 25 February 2002. national criminal court could have been Party Conference at the beginning of Octo- kets and the minds of the ruling elite. established by the Security Council. If Af- ber, he said, ‘The war on terror should be a Kosovo showed that control of certain ter- ghanistan refused to extradite bin Laden, the war for a wider new world order.’ ritories through US military presence was Security Council could have taken action also necessary for globalisation. The war on against Afghanistan. The action could have The WOT and the New World Afghanistan has reinforced the territorial extended from total sanctions to use of Order dimension of globalisation. It is significant force. Even the US could have been author- Tony Blair in his speech to the Chicago Eco- to note that there are new doctrines justify- ised to use force. For all these of course nomic Club in 1999 had explained his views ing the ‘occupation’ or changing the re- evidence against bin Laden would have been on the new world order. In that speech he gimes of some countries, to protect the required. linked the war on Kosovo to economic interests of the US and big corporations. At one stage, the US Secretary of State changes in the world and stated that From the time of the G8 Conference in said that the government would publish evi- globalisation is not just about economics Genoa, the proponents of globalisation want dence against bin Laden and Al Qaeda. The but also about politics and security. He de- to claim that those who are opposed to eco- next day it was ‘clarified’ that it would not fined security in terms of military security nomic globalisation are using violence. So be made public but only shared with allies. for globalisation to be provided by the US- when they say that globalisation needs se- The only ‘evidence’ given in public was a led NATO. Consequently, NATO was extended curity, they also mean that they will use force document the British government placed to Eastern Europe as a guarantee of secu- against those who oppose it. In the wake of before its Parliament in October. The ‘evi- rity for the big corporations that were mov- September 11 events many countries have dence’ had seventy clauses. Only nine of ing in. Globalisation and militarisation are introduced new ‘anti-terrorist’ laws sub- them related to the September 11 events. the two sides of the same coin. On one hand, stantially curtailing civil liberties. The aim What was significant was the opening state- globalisation creates conditions for unrest is to ensure the climate for investment ment of the document. ‘This evidence is not and war by promoting injustice, inequality through ‘law and order’. The new measures sufficient to bring Osama bin Laden to trial and insecurity. On the other, bodies like the in the name of WOT are meant to make the in a court of law.’ Yet it was sufficient to go WTO, which allow massive subsidies for the world safe for globalisation. Globalisation to war against a country, resulting in the weapons industry, facilitate the production is the main project of the new world order. deaths of at least 3,000 civilians. The US of the instruments of war. The enormous Tony Blair is right, ‘The war against terror claimed that it could not release the evi- growth in the arms industry in the US and is a war for a wider new world order.’ dence since it would endanger some of the several countries after the declaration of the agents who gave the information. The ‘se- WOT highlights this issue. The WOT is re- This article comes from a presentation at curity’ of a few agents was more important ally about providing military security for a CCA staff seminar on 20 February 2002. than the lives of thousands. This raises not globalisation. Dr Ninan Koshy is formerly Director, Com- only legal questions, but moral issues. Until the Kosovo crisis, globalisation was mission of the Churches on International It was Tony Blair, the British Prime Min- explained as a new form of colonialism Affairs, World Council of Churches, and ister, who actually spelt out the broader aim without the conquest or even control of ter- formerly Visiting Fellow, Human Rights of the WOT. In his speech to the Labour ritories but with the capturing of the mar- Program, Harvard Law School.

CCA News March 2002 23 Reflections Ecumenical Theological Education in Asia Five issues that affect ecumenical theological education in Asia today A. Wati Longchar

The challenges we face in theological edu- cluding those who can afford to do so, do ing theology abroad, but we must give equal cation in Asia are enormous. On one hand, not pay for their education. People seem to importance to developing advanced theo- our theological schools face problems re- have a notion that money for theological logical research centres in Asia. Therefore, lated to finance, structure, administration, education should come from mission it is vital that theological schools come to- curriculum and pedagogy. On the other agencies. As a result of these wrong gether and work out a ‘federated faculty’ hand, we are also challenged by issues such understandings, the role of principals/presi- for advanced theological research in differ- as terrorism, economic injustice, religious dents in many theological schools in Asia ent regions. This will promote not only qual- intolerance, ecological destruction, mass has been reduced to that of fundraising. It ity leadership in the churches, but also poverty, child labour, gender injustice, po- is imperative that we educate our churches promote ecumenism, reduce the financial litical corruption, globalisation, identity to invest money for theological education. burden and encourage contextual theolo- problem, the HIV-AIDS pandemic. I would The churches must also realise that ‘theo- gies. like to focus on five issues that affect ecu- logical teaching and learning contribute sig- menical theological education in Asia today. nificantly to their own viability’.* The Church’s Involvement in Financial Viability Federated Faculty 3 Theological Education 1The present system of theological for- 2 Asians must be encouraged to study A common criticism that many theological mation involves a high capital invest- in Asia. There are hundreds of theo- schools face today is that graduates are al- ment. Till today theological schools in many logical colleges. Without counting big cit- ienated from the church and society. The parts of Asia have been heavily dependent ies like Seoul, Manila and Chennai, it is churches often accuse theological institu- on external sources—mission agencies and quite surprising to see dozens of theologi- tions of elitism and tend to think that the evangelistic associations in the West and in cal schools even in a small town. Yet, there kind of training received in theological North America. In many countries in Asia, are very few advanced theological research schools is not suitable in the rural context the salary of teachers, construction of build- centres. Resources are utterly divided. and not helpful to the spiritual nurturing of ings and other infrastructure and the im- There are a few schools in Asia that offer congregations. Some even complain that plementation of masteral and doctoral master’s and PhD or DTh degrees in theol- theological graduates with BD, MDiv and programs are still expected from external ogy, but these have limitations. Library, hu- MTh degrees cannot deliver a good sermon agencies. Now that assistance from partners man resources and other infrastructure are relevant to the people’s situation. The is dwindling for various reasons, there is not adequate. Several schools admit just one churches often criticise graduates as not be- an acute financial crisis in most of our ecu- or two doctoral candidates in an academic ing fully equipped to deal with crisis situa- menical schools. Many schools suffer from session. This cannot cater to the fast-grow- tions such as sickness, mental breakdown, the ‘everybody’s baby but nobody’s baby’ ing demands of the churches and theologi- family quarrels, HIV-AIDS problems and so syndrome. The initial enthusiasm of inter- cal communities in Asia. Due to lack of on. On the other side, those leaders respon- denominational ventures is slowly disap- advanced theological research centres, re- sible for theological schools often express pearing, leaving many schools without a searchers are compelled to go to Europe disappointment about the church leaders’ proper owner. Several schools have now and the US for theological training. Since lack of commitment to theological educa- sprouted along the lines of their denomi- the training there is very expensive, it puts tion. Sometimes theological schools blame national affiliation. The other sad aspect is more financial burden on ecumenical part- the churches for their irresponsible screen- that Asian Christians have not been educated ners. The cost of one doctoral candidate in ing of candidates. All these problems show to support ecumenical formation. Many the US can support five doctoral students in that there is not sufficient interaction be- churches in Asia do have resources to sup- India! On the other hand, the students un- tween the church leadership and theologi- port theological education, but many dertake research that is not relevant to their cal institutions. It is necessary that a mutual churches do not want to invest resources own context. Students who excel in their interaction between the church and theo- in theological education—they are more in- studies often do not return to their coun- logical schools takes place in terms of terested in ‘mission’. Besides, students, in- tries. We do recognise the advantage of do- financial support, policy making and cur-

24 CCA News March 2002 riculum formation. The church and theo- tive. It matters what or whose perspective regionalism, but to promote regional con- logical schools are like two sides of one one has when reading the Bible. For too sciousness among students. This will enable coin. However, both should play not only long, an elitist perspective has been domi- students to face the challenges of their own supportive roles, but also prophetic roles nant. The perspective of subaltern groups immediate context. to each other in training future leaders in like indigenous people and women and their the church and society. struggle for new life has been over- ■ A transformative approach—The looked in our interpretation. A very clear Word of God should help us in the transfor- Curriculum–Faculty– scripturally directed perspective is the sub- mation of our lives. It is unfortunate that 4 Pedagogy altern perspective. An addition of one sub- reading the Word of God has fallen into the The all-round development of stu- ject like feminist theology or indigenous trap set by the philosophy of the modern dents depends not only on the curriculum people’s theology in the existing courses of educational system. That is why biblical in- but also the way the teachers make use of theological schools is not sufficient. Neither terpretation has been reduced to mere ab- the curriculum. The effectiveness of the cur- is organising a few seminars and consulta- stract intellectual exercise. We need to riculum depends on both content and on tions sufficient. The study of gender justice challenge this pattern of biblical interpre- the teachers. The central point becomes not must become a hermeneutical key to theol- tation. Interpretation of God’s Word has to ‘what’ is taught, but how it is taught and by ogy. Teaching theology from woman’s per- be directed towards transformation. Praxis- whom it is taught.† Therefore, teachers mat- spective would help to challenge the present thinking challenges us that thinking that ters much. In most of the schools in Asia, patriarchal culture and ideology in our occurs apart from critical involvement ends one is expected to teach after masteral or religio-cultural, socio-political and eco- up in construction of theories about exist- doctoral studies without having adequate nomic structures. We should consciously ence that keep us away from the real world. exposure to appropriate teaching methods. integrate the perspective of the marginalised We need rigorous theoretical reflection of That is why many teachers fail to address people in the whole process of biblical in- the Word of God, but it should emerge from the needs of students. If theological educa- terpretation. the practice that is directed to transforma- tion is to be effective, then the theological tion. In order to do biblical praxis we need associations should give priority to initiat- ■ An inter-disciplinary approach—The social and cultural analysis of our context. ing seminars and colloquia on teaching present character of biblical interpretation They should form an integral part of the methodologies for theological teachers. is too monolithic. This is not sufficient in biblical hermeneutics. the Asian context. The reality of our experi- Perspective in ence is complex and we need a confluence ■ Protection of diversity—Plurality is 5 Theological Education of tools to unravel its significance. We need an integral part of the Creator. No culture, An important area that theological an interdisciplinary reading the Bible. In no community is excluded from this, God’s educators have to face is the question of per- this process, the cultural and religious tra- structure of creation. All are unique in their spective in teaching theology. Considering ditions of Asia must be taken seriously. They own ways and, therefore, no-one has the today’s complex realities in Asia, we need are not just useful to supply an alternative right to dominate and suppress the other. multiple hermeneutical principles for inter- vision of human bonding to one another and Life is protected and it can grow to its full- preting the Bible. The interpretation of the to earth alone, but they have to be taken ness only by affirmation of the beauty of di- Bible should also move into new areas such seriously to support an alternative develop- versity. Therefore, a perspectival change as globalisation, the ecological crisis, ge- ment paradigm. in our interpretation of the Bible to under- netic engineering and ethnicity—all these stand and appreciate the diverse religious areas have been outside traditional schemes ■ Global perspective of local issues— and cultural resources of humankind as the of biblical interpretation, though they all Theological education should have a glo- common property of humanity becomes impinge on our lives and relationships. bal perspective, without undermining the crucial. A positive approach, especially to Many theological educators, pastors, mis- local needs and issues. The immediate con- the people of other faiths, culture and lan- sionaries and Christian ministers are ill- text of a theologian is the local community. guages, can provide a new paradigm for equipped to interpret the Word of God in The theologian engages in the local context understanding the Bible. the context of the challenges of new tech- to discern God’s purpose in life. However, nology and cyberculture. A reading of the the lives of the people are very much deter- * Lother Engel, ‘A Response’, in Towards Viable Bible without taking these issues into con- mined by what is going on globally. For ex- Theological Education, ed. by John Pobee sideration will have no impact. We need to ample, the process of globalisation has no (Geneva: WCC, 1997), p. 99. † Pratap Chandra Gine, ‘The Curriculum and evolve a clear biblical methodology and per- boundary, for it affects every local commu- Pedagogy of Theological Education in India’ in spective to address this fast-emerging chal- nity. Local issues and global issues cannot Journal of Tribal Studies, vol. V, no. 2, July– lenge. In a context like Asia, theological be understood in isolation. Therefore, theo- December 2001, p. 6. educators have to wrestle with the follow- logical formation needs to engage the glo- ing issues: bal perspective of the local context. The Dr A. Wati Longchar is a Baptist theolo- available local resources, history and cul- gian from Nagaland, North east India. He ■ A perspectival change—For any read- ture need to be taken into account to meet is the Joint Ecumenical Theological Edu- ing of the Bible, we need to have a perspec- their need. The purpose is not to provoke cation consultant of the CAA and WCC.

CCA News March 2002 25 Reflection Planting Feminist Theology in Hong Kong Wong Wai-ching

rom the perspective of the community, of double tragedies: first, a young woman against their male counterparts and prove the understanding of feminist theology died an untimely death; second, the futility themselves worthy of their entrusted re- Fstill remains very much at an initial of the act of a bird carrying tree branches sponsibility before male-dominated church stage. More people have heard about the and rubble for the filling of the sea. councils and church hierarchies. The task term, I suppose, but that only means that Many times feminist theologians in Hong of feminist theology to ‘break into’ this sys- more people misunderstand it. Barely any Kong are charged with being Western and tem is therefore as weighty, and sometimes attention given by either the church or the betrayers of Chinese cultural traditions. as futile, as the task of the bird of Jingwei. theological institutions to further develop- They are either too ‘radical’ or too politi- In a way, I am quite sympathetic with the ing feminist theology. Has feminist theology cal, introducing only hostility and conflict anxiety in male authorities with the chang- failed entirely then to make ing role of women in the its way into the Chinese present society. I am also church in Hong Kong? Is sympathetic with the ‘silent’ feminist theology, as many women in the church who male theologians and church are undergoing double pres- leaders say, so Western in its sures as professional and conception that it clashes educated women yet, at the with the Chinese traditional same time, as mothers and cultures lived out by local wives with all kinds of tradi- congregations? tional expectations. With so A lack of sufficient space much change occurring al- for discussion and explora- ready, it might be easier to tion of feminist theology at just cope with only one thing the various levels of the life at a time. No-one likes to of the church is one crucial wage daily battles at home, factor. To appreciate this and no-one likes to fight for difficulty, there is an ancient the right of naming God or myth of China entitled naming a saviour Christ or ‘Jingwei Tianhai’ (‘The Bird how to interpret the Book of of Jingwei Fills the Sea’). This Faith in worship when myth is about a mysterious one finds barely a breathing bird named Jingwei, which was said origi- into the relationship between the sexes. space in daily life. With the cost everyone is nally to be the daughter of an ancient deity, Despite the rapid changes that have taken paying for the economic ‘success’ of Hong Yendi (God of the Sun). This daughter of place in gender roles in Hong Kong society, Kong in the past two decades, there is, in Yendi died of a tragic accident as she authorities of the church preach for resto- fact, very little space left for reflecting and drowned one day while swimming in the Sea ration of the ‘old’ order in the church and thinking about one’s relationship with the of the East. After her death, she was turned family. Consequently, professional women community or members of the family or into a bird with a white beak and red feet. are encouraged to forget about their public even oneself and, to say the least, one’s re- From this point onward, she has been car- achievements and hide themselves behind lationship with God. Who cares whether God rying branches and rubble from the West- their husbands and families in the church; is a father or a mother as long as God is ern mountain to fill the Sea of the East. educated women are told to humble them- merciful and compassionate and is there as Despite its complex geological and anthro- selves before the authoritative (male) in- one wrestles with the various difficulties in pological makeup, this myth has been re- terpretation of faith and the Bible; and life? Why all the hassle in developing a femi- told in Chinese literary tradition as a story women ministers are to be measured nist theology?

26 CCA News March 2002 Yet there is another aspect of the myth capable of a great variety of tasks whether on unceasingly, not because some ‘Western- of Jingwei Tianhai that we may turn to. While at home or at work, that does not demand ised feminists’ want to impose an agenda the story of a bird trying to fill the sea tells that men always play a superior role and on the congregation, but, given a proper of the futility of human efforts, it also women always retreat to a subordinate po- space for its reflection and expression, be- projects a noble aspect of humanity in sition. There will soon be a time when the cause feminist theology will arise from the dreaming and hope. Similar to the more younger women more openly ask the rel- life of the congregation in response to a vi- popular Chinese parable of ‘Yugong Yishan’ evance of a hierarchical interpretation of sion of an egalitarian men-women partner- (‘An Old Fool Transporting a Mountain’), the Pauline family code in their lives and ship. The task of feminist theology today will the story of Jingwei also tells of a vision of reflect on their intimate relationship with a therefore be like ploughing and planting, hope fostered by unceasing efforts of try- God who can be called also a mother and a preparing the space for an in-depth theo- ing. It says that hope does not rest with the sister. logical reflection from the life and experi- present—it points to the future. This is how There will be a time when they will ask ence of women and men. I find the present stage of feminist theology whether the Bible teaches the same kind of in Hong Kong. gender roles and relationships as the Chi- This article first appeared in the HKCI Despite the stagnation found in the de- nese ancient classics and whether they are Newsletter, issue 162 (March 2002). Wong velopment of feminist theology in the church obliged only to follow the interpretation of Wai-ching, a CCA president, is a Hong and the theological institutions of Hong the authority. There is certainly a growing Kong Christian Institute management Kong, the young people of the church are demand for a theological response to the committee member and an associate pro- changing. They experience a society that changing experiences of men and women, fessor in the Department of Modern Lan- seeks to provide equal opportunities to both whether the church acknowledges it or not. guages and Intercultural Studies at the men and women, that says that both are Thus, the task of feminist theology will go Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Newsbriefs

Taiwan new general secretary, Rev. Park Soo-Kil, 2002 in conjunction with the Youth Desk The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has hopes that as the 100 member churches and the Orthodox Nectar for Young Chris- scheduled its 48th Biennial General Assem- work toward their 100th year celebration, tians (ONYX) in Kottayam, Kerala (South bly Meeting for 2–5 April 2002. This fol- they can indeed ‘cut a way for a new history India). The program will include four resi- lows their practice of holding the meeting in following the Lord’. He also prays for dential days of seminar-type classes on immediately following the Easter weekend. reconciliation in the wake of the threat of Christian leadership and human rights The venue is the Chang-Jung Girls’ High military and economic power struggles, and (ecotourism, AIDS, women etc.) and four School in southern Taiwan. The Assembly hopes that all churches be connected in days of a ‘Christian Heritage Tour’ by coach. theme is ‘Spiritual Renewal and a Life Dedi- seeking God’s reign and righteousness in the The program focus is on spirituality, cul- cated to Serve’, which is based on Ezekiel world. ture and heritage of the Indian Orthodox 36:26–27 and Colossians 1:28–29. Repre- * * * Church and is meant to develop its younger sentatives from partner churches will have The Rev. James Satoru Endo was ordained of leadership. time to convey brief greetings to the assem- and consecrated as bishop of the Diocese bly. They will also have an option between of Yokohama on 12 January 2002. The con- Indonesia two special additional events: (a) the Pre- secration was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral The Kalimantan Evangelical Church Assembly Gathering on Women, Students of Yokohama, celebrated by Bishop John (Gereja Kalimantan Evangelis-Anggota PGI) and Youth on 31 March – 2 April in Tainan, Jun’ichiro of Kobe and Primate of the Nip- in Indonesia held a Training of Trainers for and (b) the 20th Anniversary of the Gi-Kong pon Sei Ko Kai. Present were the former and Conflict Resolution on 14–18 January in Presbyterian Church in Taipei City on current bishops of the province. Banjarmasin. There were forty-three partici- 31 March – 1 April. pants, including students and representa- India tives from religious groups (Hindus, Japan The National Council of Churches in In- Buddhists, Muslims and Christians) and The Korean Christian Church in Japan dia (NCCI) Watch Desk is organising a civic organisations. The group felt the need (KCCJ) celebrates this year its ninety-fourth program called ‘Pivotal Challenges and for stronger networking and organising anniversary as an established church. KCCJ’s Christian Response’ from 25 May to 1 June similar training in areas beset by conflict.

CCA News March 2002 27 Asia Sunday 2002 Timor Lorosa’e:

sia Sunday is not only a time to commemorate the founding of the Christian Conference of Asia (then the A Brief History of East Timor East Asian Christian Conference) on 24 May 1959. It East Timor is part of the island of Timor at the southern edge of the is also a time to focus on a major concern of the re- Indonesian archipelago. During the colonial period, the western gional ecumenical movement. This year, the focus is part of the island was controlled by the Dutch while the eastern on the young church and nation of Timor Lorosa’e, or part was a Portuguese colony for four centuries since 1520. Awhat is commonly known as East Timor. When Indonesia became independent in 1945, West Timor be- The theme, ‘Timor Lorosa’e: Hope for New Life’, is an acknowl- came part of the new nation. Portugal continued to hold on to the edgment of the remarkable story of the people of East Timor. Dur- colony until July 1975 when it uni- ing the years of painful struggle for independence, the laterally withdrew from East Timor. people of East Timor experienced a terri- On 28 November Fretilin declared ble loss of lives due to invasion, East Timor independent. Nine days militarisation, crackdowns later on 7 December, Indonesian and massacres, as well as militia invaded East Timor. In July loss of shelter and public 1976, Indonesia’s then President facilities. In the wake of so Suharto signed a bill annexing East much suffering and terror, Timor as Indonesia’s twenty-sev- the people’s hope and enth province, a claim which the determination for life United Nations did not recognise. and freedom continue Despite UN resolutions demanding to burn. It is truly a its withdrawal, Indonesia contin- hope that refuses to ued to occupy East Timor. die. As the people of East Timor expressed their desire for inde- The Christian pendence, Indonesia reacted with crackdowns and massacres. Conference of Asia Thousands of East Timorese were killed immediately while resist- urges all member ing the invasion. Thousands were also hunted down and killed. churches and na- Still thousands more died of starvation or diseases in camps— tional councils Indonesia’s way to control the population in order to quell the of churches to resistance. celebrate Asia Suharto’s successor, B.J. Habibie, offered to end the military Sunday using our sug- occupation of East Timor and to grant it a degree of self-govern- gested liturgy and to express soli- ment as a province of Indonesia. In January 1999 Habibie an- darity with the church in Timor Lorosa’e through nounced that if the East Timorese rejected autonomy, they should a special offering which will go towards the education of the move to independence. But the pro-Jakarta militia waged a cam- young generation. paign of terror. However, during the UN-sponsored referendum on 30 August, 78.5 per cent of East Timorese chose independence. For rejecting the offer of autonomy within Indonesia, many were killed and many others were forced into trucks and ships to be dumped in squalid refugee camps in West Timor. By September, more than half of East Timor’s 700,000 population had been forcibly removed from their homes, many of which were burned. Many Protestant and Catholic clergy were murdered, some for the simple act of defending refu- gees. Others fled with their people to the mountains or were forci- bly transported to West Timor as refugees. Nearly all of East Timor’s infrastructure was destroyed. Nevertheless, the overwhelming vote for independence led to the naming of an United Nations Transitional Authority (UNTAET) in October 1999 to administer East Timor until full independence. Photos courtesy of the National Council of Churches in Australia Under UN supervision, an 88-member Constituent Assembly was

28 CCA News March 2002 Hope for New Life

elected, which approved a draft constitution on 9 February 2002. is the rediscov- The constitution provides for a strong parliament and a largely ery of the culture symbolic president. The presidential election will be held on 14 almost destroyed April and with the inauguration of the president, East Timor will during 450 years formally become an independent nation on 20 May. Even as Timor of Portuguese Lorosa’e gets on with life as an independent state, it will, for some occupation and time, have to deal with its painful past and to learn to live into the twenty-four future, which includes living with Indonesia as a neighbour. years of Indonesian invasion. The IPTL has thirteen districts and many congregations through- out Timor Lorosa’e. Its membership is about 17,000 people, many CCA’s Youngest of whom are farmers and fisherfolk. Currently, church pastors work purely on a voluntary basis. Many of them need proper and addi- Member tional training. The Igreja Protestante iha Timor Lorosa’e or IPTL Among the ongoing programs and concerns of the IPTL are lead- (Protestant Church of East Timor) is one of the young- ership training for pastors, educational scholarships for students est church members of the Christian Conference of since school fees are too expensive, building or rebuilding of Asia. The CCA received the IPTL as member during its churches and income-generating activities to help provide for pas- 11th General Assembly in Tomohon, Indonesia, in tors’ salaries. June 2000. What is the relationship between the Roman Catholic and the The Rev. Francisco de Vasconselos, Moderator of Protestant churches in Timor Lorosa’e? Among church leaders, the IPTL, sees reconstruction as the main need of the there are very close and friendly relations. There is still a need to young country. overcome prejudices and promote better understanding among the This includes physical reconstruction, which is the rebuilding grassroots people of the different church bodies. of the country and all the facilities that were destroyed during the With their independence as a nation, the East Timorese hope period of military atrocities. It also includes relational reconstruc- that the life of the people will be greatly improved—with better tion, which is the rebuilding of relationships and reconciliation health services, better education facilities, with a stable economy among the people. It also involves cultural reconstruction, which and with a truly just and peaceful society. A Program on Human Rights in East Timor

The church in East Timor is a survivor church. It has been at has been done, to gather lessons learned and to look to the the receiving end of countless battering from forces that future. It is in this context that the Ecumenical Movement of trample on such human values as respect, justice and Young People has planned a Youth Leadership Training on freedom, from 1974 to 1999. It was the safe haven that Human Rights on 21–24 March in Dili, East Timor. young people, widows and orphans ran to during these The conference will tackle the following topics: The Civil turbulent times. It was the voice of the silenced people Society of East Timor in the Transition and Post-Independence, speaking the truth amidst the babble of lies. It was the source Human Rights in the East Timorese Constitution, Human of a cup of rice for the empty stomach. In a situation where Rights in the Perspective of the Social Doctrine of the Church, crisis after crisis affected the people, the church was ready to the Relationship of the Church and State and Human Rights be a part of the solution. Hence, the church has had its share and East Timorese Culture. The program aims to create social of martyrs. The church was like a boat tossing and heaving in awareness on the fundamental rights of citizens. It also hopes turbulent waters. The church has become a survivor— to share this awareness with the far-flung villages through forgiving but not forgetting the past, remembering the past community and development training to be conducted by the without anger and hatred. participants (the would-be facilitators). The program also In the newly independent environment, the church in East hopes to come up with a five-year strategic plan. Timor is taking a much-needed breather. In this most The program is organised by the Igreja Protestante Iha challenging time of rebuilding the nation, the church in East Timor Lorosa’e (IPTL) and supported by the Christian Confer- Timor finds the time and space to look back and assess what ence of Asia.

CCA News March 2002 29 Obituaries Remembering the Saints Kim Kwan Suk

ev. Dr Kim Kwan Suk, a former gen- Korean patriot and a widely respected Chris- Christian Conference of Asia with some re- eral secretary of the National Coun- tian leader. During the difficult days of the sponsibility for human rights. I visited Ko- Rcil of Churches in Korea, passed away 1970s when the church stood against dic- rea several times and was present in the on 4 February. He was 80 years old. tatorship he was one of the symbols of Chris- courtroom during the infamous trials of the Kim Kwan Suk was also a former presi- tian hope, inspiring Christians in many parts Myong Dong protesters. I happened to be dent of the Christian Broadcasting System of the world. As the General Secretary of in Seoul on the day when Kwan Suk was re- in Korea. An outstanding ecumenical leader, the National Council of Churches in Korea leased from prison and was one of the first he served as moderator of the Communica- he spoke fearlessly against all injustice in to greet him at his home. As we wept and tion Committee of the Christian Conference his country. Like many great Christian lead- prayed together I drew strength from the of Asia in 1981–85. ers in history he spent time in prison and remarkable faith of this man who had en- Kim Kwan Suk was a strong democratic this experience deepened his faith and his dured so much but had no bitterness—only leader, especially during the military dicta- resolve. Always a quiet and gentle man he hope for the future of his country.’ torship in Korea. had treated his time in prison as a retreat, An ordained minister of the Presbyterian The Rev. Ron O’Grady, former Associate singing hymns, reading the Bible and expe- Church of the Republic of Korea, Rev. Kim General Secretary of the Christian Confer- riencing the presence of God.’ also taught at Hanshin University in Seoul. ence of Asia, remembers Rev. Kim as a Ron O’Grady adds: ‘During that time I He is survived by wife Kim Ock Sil and friend and colleague: ‘Kwan Suk was great was Associate General Secretary of the their three married sons. Susanta Adhikari

usanta Adhikari, President of Bangla- later he became its executive director. The development organisations in Bangladesh desh Baptist Churches Sangha and Ex- CCDB has grown as one of the largest rural under his able and charismatic leadership. Secutive Director of the Christian Com- mission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), passed away on 22 February at his residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Mr Susanta Adhikari was one of the most prominent ecumenical leaders in Bangla- desh. He was President of NCC Bangladesh until October last year. He served on the Development and Serv- ice Program Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) for two terms. He was deeply committed to the cause of the poor and marginalised in Bangladesh. His integrity and commitment were widely appreciated by the people in Bangladesh and ecumenical partners. Ever since the inception of CCDB in 1970 Susanta Adhikari, president of NCC-Bangladesh, 1999–2001, addressing the Susanta has been associated with CCDB and annual meeting of NCCB

30 CCA News March 2002 Sr Angela Sollen, CSC

r Angela, an Australian Anglican ‘God is a circle, and a circle is endless; Patrick White, died with a ‘holding cross’ Franciscan sister, was a wonderful whom God loves, he loves to the end; made at Stroud and asked for Sr Angela S ecumenist, welcoming those of all de- not only their own end, but his end, when nearing death. Retreatants enjoyed nominations, faiths and even without any and his end is this: that he may love making the beautiful ‘holding crosses’, of a faith to the community at Stroud for rest, them still.’—John Donne single piece of wood, sandpapered smooth, reflection, counselling, walking in the bush, whilst sharing cups of tea and companion- saying the offices and silent prayer in the exploration of ideas. She introduced mixed able chats. In times of trouble these aids to mudbrick chapel. The beautiful Dances of community, allowed novices from other prayer, held in the hand, were a reminder Peace were incorporated into the liturgy for church traditions, enjoying the company of of the closest presence of God. The little a time, allowing participants to dance their Roman Catholic sisters and Aboriginal John Donne verse, quoted above, available worship to God. friends and influenced many in Australia at the monastery, was tucked into many a A feminist sculptor, she transformed a and beyond. Two Filipino Franciscan Catho- wallet. closed community from England into an lic sisters were warmly welcomed at the Having built the monastery of mudbricks order struggling to be authentically Austral- community and many other overseas guests from the property, with the aid of people ian. In her darkest hours, considering found nourishment there. from everywhere, she was able to leave it breaking with the English order, she felt The prayers of the community incorpo- when she felt called to move on. After living accompanied by a bird that would fly into a rated the issues of the day and individuals with cancer for over twenty years, she died small chapel. Ordained as a priest in 1992, in need could ring and talk to the sisters, in the US, where she had been sculpting and she was able to celebrate holy communion seeking their prayers. Believing that church ministering. Her examples of hospitality, for her community and others. and society urgently needed women’s con- openness to life and new thought will long Open to wisdom from all sources, Sr tribution, she supported many women and be remembered. Angela encouraged Christians not to fear the also men. Australia’s most famous writer, —Mandy Tibbey Program for Asian Women in NGO Work

A unique form of theological education is being planned The topics include the following: for Asian women working with nongovernment organisations in Asia. The program is sponsored by the First Semester Ewha Institute for Women’s Theological Studies (with Prof. • Asian History and Asian Realities Kyung Mi Park as director) at the Ewha Womans University • Women’s Herstory and Women’s Movement in Asia in Korea and the United Board for Christian Higher Second Semester Education in Asia through the Asian Christian Higher • Asian Religions and Cultures Education Institute (with Dr David Kwang-sun Suh as • Women, Religions and Cultures in Asia executive director). The program will cover four semesters of intensive Third Semester course work and field education, two weeks at a time, in • Ethical Responses to Asian Realities in the Context of Ewha University. Assignments, which will include reading, Globalisation conducting case studies and writing preparatory papers, • Women and Globalization will be done before and after each semester in the participants’ own contexts. The program will begin in June Fourth Semester this year. • Women and NGO in Asia: Participation and Solidarity The purposes of the program are: • Plan of Work and Action • to develop Asian women’s religious thinking in the twenty-first century, For further information, please contact Prof. Kyung Mi • to build networking among Asian NGO women leaders, Park, director of the Ewha Institute for Women’s • to provide resources for Asian women in the NGOs. Theological Studies, email: [email protected].

CCA News March 2002 31 Opportunities

Workshop on Music and Worship

The Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music (AILM), the countries. The participation fee of US$400 includes full centre for training church musicians in Asia, will conduct a board and lodging for thirteen days, local transportation, workshop on music and worship for the Asia-Pacific region including airport transfers, entrance fees and tickets to at the Cathedral Heights in Quezon City, Philippines, on cultural performances, and a one-day out-of-town trip. 7–18 November 2002. Meanwhile, the AILM is offering additional scholarship The workshop will feature lectures from selected slots to Asian church workers and students who intend to resource persons from Asia, America and Europe, devote time to studies in church music and liturgy for the workshops with established artists in music and text academic year 2002–2003. writing, dance for worship, the visual arts, choral music Those interested may contact the AILM and cantorship. Several sessions will be devoted to a free by email: fffsamba@pacific.net.ph exchange of ideas on developing music and other art or postal mail to Workshop on Music and Worship materials for worship, hymnal production and sharing Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music liturgical experiences. Country presentations will include PO Box 10533 Broadway, 1141 Quezon City updates on the church music scene in various Asian Philippines. Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, 2002–2003

The Graduate School of Ecumenical Studies provides an spiritual. The approach will be multidisciplinary—from the intensive period of study, research and community life at perspective of the Bible, medicine, social ethics and the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey. It is primarily for young theology. There will be analysis of past and present theologians and pastors and for students of other endeavours of churches in the field of health and healing. disciplines with a suitable level of theological literacy. Focusing on present realities, the role of churches in facing Applications are now open for the spring 2003 session the HIV/AIDS pandemic and in bringing healing and with a deadline of 31 July 2002. Application forms may be reconciliation to people in communities will be examined. obtained from the institute or downloaded from the For more information, contact Bossey webpage. Application must be accompanied by Ecumenical Institute certified copies of secondary school, bachelor’s degree and Chateau de Bossey theological studies certificates. Chemin Cheneviere 2 The theme of the spring session is ‘Mission and Healing Bogis-Bossey in a Broken and Suffering World’ (3 February – 23 May CH-1298 Celigny 2003). This 54th session will focus on the healing Switzerland components of mission: communal, physical, social and Email: [email protected]. Asia-Pacific Leadership Program

The East-West Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii, is offering an The program invites applications from: education program on the Asia-Pacific Leadership, which is • outstanding young professionals, an innovative certificate program designed to meet new • recent bachelor degree recipients, educational and human resource needs during a time of • current enrolled graduate students. increasing regional interdependence. The program will The fall 2002/spring 2003 program will feature a core create a network of leaderships from the United States, seminar, a leadership seminar, group projects and experi- Asia and the Pacific who are familiar with the issues and ential learning, a field study, and internships as available. cultures of the region and trained to exercise leadership The application deadline is 31 March 2002. More detailed toward the well-being of the countries and peoples of the information and application materials are now available region. from the website at www.eastwestcenter.org/edu-sp.asp.

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