VOLUME 34 • NUMBER 2JUNE 1999

A Call for Prayer: Concern for the People of Asia East Timor • Middle East Council of Churches • Bukit Inspirasi IN THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL

Asia Scene A Call for Prayer 3 n an unforeseen and unintended but exhilarating and challenging way, some Local Churches Respond to Suffering of the key events in the program of CCA during this term will take place in of the People of East Timor 5 the last half of this year and in the early part of 2000. In terms of program Korean Consultation on Mission 7 intensity there are not many periods in the history of CCA comparable to theI few months leading to the year 2000. Global Currents It starts in August when up to 140 Asian theologians are anticipated to con- Seventh General Assembly of the verge on the Ecumenical Christian Centre in Bangalore, India, for the Second Middle East Council of Churches 8 Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS II). CATS II will meet around the theme WCC Presidents’ Pentecost Message 10 ‘Celebrating Life in Asia’. CCA in Focus The Asia Conference on Church and Society will follow in September. Hosted Bukit Inspirasi (Inspiration Hill) 11 by Australian churches, the conference expects fifty theologians and social sci- World Youth Project and Rural Youth entists to gather in Darwin, NT, Australia, to discuss issues and challenges for Program Committee Meetings 13 the churches towards the twenty-first century around the theme ‘Faith and Life in Asian Students and Youth Gathering Contemporary Asian Realities’. 2000 15 A mission roundtable to probe the frontiers of Christian mission towards the Development and Management Training 16 twenty-first century will meet in Hong Kong in November. Forty top-flight mission Urban Rural Mission Programs 17 practitioners and missiologists from Asia and around the world are being gath- Human Rights Training Program 18 ered to discuss and explore issues and concerns of mission and missiology as Religious Freedom and Human Rights 19 the church enters a new millennium and faces the challenges of an emerging Cambodian Leaders Visit Vietnam 21 new age. Of importance is the anticipated participation of Evangelical, Roman Executive Committee Meeting 23 Catholic and Orthodox theologians in the roundtable. Forthcoming CCA Events 25 In December, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Asia Ecumenical Committee (AEC) and the Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU), which are the joint bodies Newsbriefs 27 set up by the CCA and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) for In Memoriam: Sun Ai Lee-Park 30 joint work between them, will gather for the third time during the term to con- tinue their discussion issues and the common concerns of CCA and FABC rela- Church Feature: PCK 32 tions. A gathering of youth and students will take place in January 2000 in Taiwan. CCA Youth will sponsor this event, along with a number of ecumenical youth and

VOLUME 34 • NUMBER 2 student organisations such as the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF),

JUNE 1999 the Asia Alliance of YMCAs and the International Movement of Catholic Students Official publication of the (IMCS). Christian Conference of Asia All of these, along with the ongoing programs of the various units of CCA, will 96, 2nd District, Pak Tin Village, feed into the 11th Assembly of CCA, which is now scheduled to be held 1-6 June Mei Tin Road, Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China 2000 in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The energy-sapping work that lies ahead has been minimised by the infusion Telephone + 852 2691 1068 Fax + 852 2692 4378 of new executive staff into the workforce of CCA. The Executive Committee at its e-mail cca@pacific.net.hk meeting in May this year appointed the Rev. Josef P. Widyatmadja of Indonesia to www.cca.org.hk assume the position of Executive Secretary for Urban Rural Mission (URM) and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Feliciano V. Cariño Pastor Cora Tabing-Reyes of the Philippines to assume the position of Executive Secretary for Women’s Concerns. The coming of these two very capable colleagues EDITOR Geoff Alves in June 1999 not only filled positions that had been vacant for some time but

EDITORIAL BOARD also underscored the sense of confidence that has been achieved over the past Mathews George Chunakara year concerning our strengthening financial condition. Henriette Hutabarat Daniel Thiagarajah Feliciano V. Cariño

2 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 ASIA SCENE A Call for Prayer Concern for the People of Asia The following statement was issued by the Officers of the Christian Conference of Asia in May 1999

sia is passing through a delicate and crucial period of its history. Several Asian countries are devastated by economic and political crises and are faced with their worst financial crisis in more than three decades. The roots of Asia’s Amany problems today lie in its shattered economy, which has resulted in food shortages, high inflation, unemploy- ment and social unrest. Political uncertainty is looming in several Asian countries and democratic principles are in sham- bles. Ethnic conflicts and communal violence have spread in several countries. Deep mistrust and frustration exist in society, leading to a situation of ethnic conflicts and communal violence. Whereas indigenous communities and religious groups have been able to live together peacefully for generations in many parts of Asia, the recent tensions amongst different religious and ethnic groups intensify conflict.

In countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indone- East Asia also has been on the brink of a nuclear threat. sia, Nepal and Pakistan, religious fundamentalism is grow- The emerging balance of power configurations and strate- ing and a culture of intolerance persists. The minority gic security alliances bring anxiety and uneasiness to the religious communities in these countries are experiencing minds of East Asian people. Small arms and light weapons discrimination and persecution. In Indonesia economic and intensify ethnic and communal conflicts in South East Asia. political crises and religious conflicts still threaten the unity As we recognise the fact that these hostilities and dis- and long-nurtured culture of religious tolerance. The situ- dainful disunities are marring and maiming the fullness of ation in East Timor has been deteriorating rapidly ever since life in Asia, it is with a deep sense of pastoral responsibility the Indonesian government announced independence for that we, the officers of the Christian Conference of Asia, East Timor. The people of East Timor, enduring extreme express our deepest concern for the people all over Asia hardship in a situation of constant intimidation, now face and call on Christians all over the world to uphold the peo- terror and worse—cold-blooded massacres. A large ple of Asia in their prayers. number of East Timorese were forced to abandon their While affirming the fact that the Christians should take homes and belongings and flee from threat and violence. the initiative in breaking the dividing wall of hostility in or- Although the tentative ceasefire signed between the warring der to make peace and reconciliation, we believe that God parties is encouraging, the negotiation between Indonesia calls and compels Christians and churches in Asia to make and Portugal to arrange a vote on autonomy is yet to bear every effort to overcome division and bring about shalom. fruit in order to achieve a peaceful solution. In Sri Lanka, Let us pray that God may help the people to realise that ethnic conflicts and civil war continue with a heavy human despite the fact that certain Asian countries are moving to- toll. In India, political uncertainty threatens democratic wards democratic reforms and political governance, they principles. Malaysia has been witnessing unprecedented must actualise the important task of promoting a culture of political turmoil. Territorial disputes create havoc and nonviolence and reconciliation as they respond to emerg- threaten peace and stability in different countries. A frantic ing situations when they try to build up a new political sys- race towards nuclear conflagration has started in South Asia. tem.

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 3 ASIA SCENE

We appeal to Christians around the world, especially We call upon all Asian Christians to stand together with member churches and councils of CCA, to pray for the ceas- other religious communities in a spirit of servanthood and ing of conflicts and violence that are taking place in differ- offer our prayers and supplications to God seeking to be ent countries, especially in Indonesia and in East Timor. faithful in our calling to be peacemakers and reconcilers We urge them to pray for a peaceful atmosphere in Indone- and bring hope for all. sia and East Timor, especially at this time of a democratic We hope for the day when people of the troubled na- general election that will take place in Indonesia on 7 June tions in Asia can say with John of Patmos, ‘Now the dwell- after thirty-two years, and also the autonomy referendum ing of God is with all, and God will live with them. They will that will be held in East Timor on 8 August. be God’s people, and God will be with them and be their We urge the churches in Asia to uphold victims of ethnic God. God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be conflicts, communal violence and human rights violations no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old in our intercessions. We recall the fundamentals of Biblical order of things has passed away’ (Revelation 21:3–4). truth that human beings who exist in enmity are alienated We call on all people of goodwill to reach out to one from God and from one another and that God wills to over- another across the walls that divide us in Asia. May we all come this enmity. be bearers of good news of peace, joy and love in our soci- While affirming the truth that reconciliation is part of ety. the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Rt Rev. Bishop Kenneth M. Fernando (President) Spirit and is part of the Church’s mission and the ministry Prof. Yotora Konaka (President) of every Christian, we beseech God’s guidance upon us to Deaconess Margaret Rodgers (President) fulfill the ministry of reconciliation in a time such as this Ms Aye Mo Tin (President) when ethnic tensions and communal violence are more vis- Ms Susan Li-Shu Chang (Treasurer) ible than ever before in Asia. Dr Feliciano V. Cariño (General Secretary)

over: ‘Damai di Bumi’ (‘Peace on usually we can picture most images in the Earth’) by the Indonesian Artist Bible: The Holy Spirit takes on the form CGunawan Handjaja. of a dove. This is a symbol that is gener- It was the fiftieth day after Easter— ally recognised by everyone, the bird, Pentecost. A new era had begun. Jesus which carries the message of peace. It had ascended into heaven to be with the carries hope, like the hope of Noah (Gen- Father. His action in the world was of a esis 8), hope that helps during fear and new kind. He was there as spirit. He ap- uncertainty, hope that will build a new peared in a special way—once in the world. history of the world. He appeared as The dove helps us learn about belief flames of fire, scattered among the dis- and hope, about amazement and thank- ciples and alighting on them, filling them with courage. It ing God. The Holy Spirit delivers witnesses to spread the caused them to witness in a miraculous way. They declared news of the church. He calls people out, so that faith and Jesus was the person from Nazareth who was crucified and love can be held in high esteem, throughout the regions is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) that he has determined. The world has always needed obvi- Jesus, who formerly worked among them, now, through ous signs: See, that really is the Spirit of Christ at work. The the Holy Spirit, was in them. Our hearts must be open, our world will not be allowed to disappear. There is a power, spirits must receive him. He wants to change us. We must which cannot be seen, guiding the community of believers. be reborn as children of God (Romans 8:4, 17). Yatma Pramana Those flames of fire, which also resembled wings, de- (Courtesy of Many Faces of Christian Art in Indonesia, scended upon human beings only one time. In our minds Communion of Churches in Indonesia, 1993)

4 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 ASIA SCENE Local Churches Respond to the Suffering of the People of East Timor

he regional Communion of Churches in East Nusa and the condition of refugees in East Nusa Tenggara. Sec- Tenggara and East Timor organised a consultation on ondly, to study the problem, suggest possible solutions on Tthe suffering of the people of East Timor and its im- how to help both the East Timorese and the people of Nusa pact on East Nusa Tenggara (West Timor). It was held on Tenggara and how to convey the actual situation to the 17–18 June 1999 in Soe, approximately three hours drive awareness of the Indonesian government, Indonesian from Kupang. churches and beyond and the United Nations. Thousands of East Timorese have taken refuge along the The meeting was attended by representatives of the border of East Nusa Tenggara and the agony they have been churches in East Timor, East Nusa Tenggara and the Com- forced to encounter is truly a defect of our civilisation said munion of the Churches in Indonesia as well as delegates Ms Ria Rumata Aritonang, the Secretary of the Board of the of international church communities. In addition, some Akademi Leimena of the Communion of Churches in Indo- representatives from related NGOs, experts from universi- nesia—the co-sponsor of the consultation. ties and Akademi Leimena and resource persons on the The objective of the consultation was twofold. First, to current situation in East Timor and the condition of refu- share information both on the current situation in East Timor gees, were also invited. Akademi Leimena PGI

Statement of Concern for the Suffering of the People of East Timor

The Conference on Church and Society of the Regional Communion of Churches of East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor, in cooperation with the Leimena Institute, was held 15–18 May in Kupang, West Timor. After studying the current situation in East Timor, and in solidarity with the people of East Timor, we express our deepest concern at the suffering they are currently experiencing.

he reality of East Timor today is marked by terror, mur- tion in East Timor is so grave as to put in question the very der, revenge, and a reign of violence that verges on possibility of the promised act of free choice scheduled for Tanarchy as a result of the continuing political conflict 8 August. over the status of that territory. In the light of these developments, the Conference on We are convinced that the people of East Timor could Church and Society of the Regional Communion of Churches solve their own problems if only they were not pitted against of East Nusa Tenggara and East Timor urges the following: one another by a third party. By this we mean the role of the • We ask that the people of East Timor approach their act Indonesian military in creating and supporting pro- of free choice as an act of faith in the providence of God, integrationist paramilitary groups. The tragic result of the which they have known in their own history, in the present current escalation of violence is that the very structure of time of trouble, and will surely know in the time to come. society, the economy, health, and education is in danger of It is an act of faith because it is an existential choice that destruction. As a result, a large number of refugees, both will determine the future of the people of East Timor for Indonesian migrants and indigenous East Timorese, have generations to come. fled the territory. Several thousand are currently seeking • In full knowledge of the difficulty of their situation, we shelter in West Timor. Taken as a whole, the current situa- urge the people of East Timor to refrain from all acts of

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 5 ASIA SCENE

violence and to work together to arms, and to provide protection to the auspices of the United Nations create an atmosphere of peace. the people of East Timor. as quickly as possible in order to • We urge the security forces to cease • If conditions of safety and peace assure that the referendum on East their acts of violence, to take im- cannot be immediately established, Timor’s future can be held as mediate steps to disarm all groups we urge the deployment of a sub- scheduled. that are forbidden by law to bear stantial peacekeeping force under Rev. Dr B. Fobia, Moderator

Australian Churches to Host Asia Conference on Church and Society ustralian churches, through the tions for study and action by the Society over the Last Fifty Years’ and National Council of Churches in churches on the following subthemes: ‘The Changing Ideological Climate AAustralia (NCCA) and the Coun- • Asian Societies in the Age of Glo- of Church and Society towards the cil of Churches in the Northern Terri- balisation: Dilemmas, Issues and Twenty-first Century’ are in process of tory (CCNT), will host the forthcoming Opportunities preparation for discussion. Asia Conference on Church and Soci- • Civil Society and Democratisation in Invited leaders of the conference ety, orgainised by CCA Theological Asia include Dr Park Sang Jung and Dr Kang Concerns. To be held 23–30 Septem- • Biotechnology and Biocolonisation Moon-kyu of Korea, Dr Albert van den ber 1999, the venue of the conference • Religions, Cultures and Politics in Heuvel, president of the World Asso- will be the Northern Territory Univer- Asia: Understanding and Coopera- ciation of Christian Communication sity in Darwin, NT, Australia. The con- tion in a Pluralistic World (WACC), Dr Vandana Shiva of the Re- ference expects up to fifty theologians • The New World of Communication search Foundation for Science, Tech- and social scientists from Asia and and its Challenges to the Churches nology and Ecology in New Delhi, Dr other parts of the world to participate and the Ecumenical Movement Sayid Aril Shiraj of Indonesia and Dr and explore issues and challenges on • Faith and Economic life in the Age Manuel F. Montes of the East-West church and society towards the twenty- of the Global Economy Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Dr first century. • Migration and Uprooted People: A Paul Abrecht, formerly of the World Called to meet around the theme Moment of Choice for the Churches Council of Churches, and Dr Charles ‘Faith and Life in Contemporary Asian and the Ecumenical Movement. C. West of Princeton Theological Semi- Realities’, participants will discuss Background papers on ‘A Survey of nary are preparing background pa- presentations and make recommenda- Ecumenical Thought on Church and pers.

Pope Plans to Visit Asia in 1999 Following Synod for Asia ope John Paul II is planning to Holy Father to visit their country too. jubilee year, and could even be re- visit a number of Asian countries A long-awaited visit to Vietnam will duced to one much-anticipated visit to Pthis year to present the post- come in due course but seems unlikely the Holy Land. Since becoming pope synodal exhortation for last year’s to take place in 1999. The dialogue in October 1978, Pope John Paul has Synod for Asia. Places under consid- between the Holy See and Vietnam is made 86 foreign trips, six of them to eration include India, Macao and Hong progressing well but still needs time. Asia. He has visited Pakistan, the Phil- Kong. A visit to Indonesia would de- The Holy Father wants to make the ippines, Japan, South Korea, Thai- pend on political developments and trip this year because his Jubilee 2000 land, India, Bangladesh, Singapore, the Philippines is also a possibility. program is already heavily booked. Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, In- South Korean bishops would like the Foreign trips will be very few in the donesia, East Timor and Sri Lanka.

6 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 ASIA SCENE Consultation on Mission in the New Millennium rom 23 to 27 May 1999 the Coun- outreach. It began in 1910 with an ing national churches and a tendency cil of Presbyterian Churches in outreach to the Korean diaspora in to exacerbate the problem of division FKorea hosted an international China, Siberia and Japan, was ex- among Christian churches. consultation which it called in order tended in the 1950s to neighbouring After considering the new direc- to bring together representatives of Asian countries, such as the Philip- tions mission might take in the future those who have been involved in Ko- pines and Taiwan, and culminated in (overcoming divisions) and ‘reading rean missionary work: the member recent decades in widespread interest together the signs of the times’ (mod- churches of the Council of Presbyte- in sending missionaries overseas ern technology, glo-balisation) some rian Churches in Korea, churches that Very large numbers of Korean mis- practical proposals were given to Pres- have sent missionaries to Korea in the sionaries have been sent out all over byterian churches and councils in past and churches in countries to the world. Women missionaries are Korea and to Reformed churches which Korean missionaries have been prominent and lay missionaries are worldwide. sent. The consultation took place at the increasing in number. These included the development of Academy House in Seoul. Given the rapid growth of the Ko- a comprehensive mission policy and Koreans have long been gripped by rean worldwide missionary engage- guidelines, ensuring missionaries have the mission and commission of Jesus ment over a short time-span, it is not clear objectives and a firm grasp of and a zeal for evangelistic outreach. surprising that a number of problems God’s call, avoiding duplication, trans- Out of the struggles of the Korean have emerged. These have included a parent funding, cooperation in train- church under Japanese colonial rule lack of policy formation, planning and ing, management and pastoral care of and the recent military dictatorship coordination, inadequate preparation, missionaries, and working together there has arisen a powerful movement a lack of cultural sensitivity, a lack of with other churches, both in Korea and of church growth and missionary capacity to link effectively with exist- overseas.

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 7 GLOBAL CURRENTS Seventh General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches

he Middle East Council of rut, under the theme ‘Jesus Christ, the sharing their spiritual heritage. As the Churches held its 7th General As- same yesterday, today and forever’ assembly also celebrated the MECC’s T sembly in Lebanon on 27–31 (Hebrew 13:8). silver jubilee, member churches evalu- April 1999. Thus it was that, after a Representing twenty-eight churches ated the work of the council over the hiatus of twenty-two years, the coun- and more than 15 million Christians past twenty-five years, and looked to cil convened a general assembly in the in the Middle East and North Africa, the role of the council in the new mil- location of its head office, which it did from Algeria to Iran, ninety-six official lennium. One of the concerns of the not abandon despite the painful events delegates and at least an equal number assembly was the growing number of Lebanon has experienced. Indeed, the of guests and observers from the re- Christians leaving the region. MECC’s activity increased there as it gion and beyond attended the assem- The Assembly recognised the grow- strove to assist in the country’s recon- bly. The member churches of MECC ing cooperation between the MECC and struction and rehabilitation. come from four Christian families: Ori- the Christian Conference of Asia. CCA The assembly was held at Dar ental Orthodox , Eastern Orthodox was represented by Rev. Dr Henriette Sayyidat al-Jabal, a monastery of the (Chalcedonian), Catholic and Evan- Hutabarat, the Associate General Sec- Maronite Catholic Church, located in gelical churches. Each family took retary for Program Coordination. the mountain of Fatka, north of Bei- turns leading the morning worship and HenrietteHutabarat Ecumenism on the Threshold of the Third Millennium is Holiness, Catholicos Aram I into the ecumenical movement world has impact at the grass roots. There gave a presentation on ‘Ecu- wide has given the catholicos a re- are five challenges before the move- Hmenism on the Threshold of the markable ability to see the movement ment as a whole, he said. The church Third Millennium’. His deep insight both as a whole and as something that must be one that cares, one that is re- sponsive to the issues of the day and the concerns of the people. It must also appreciate the fact that its milieu is and will remain pluralistic. The need to be in dialogue with others is not simply an exercise in conceptual thinking—it is existential. Further- more, the church’s search for unity cannot be considered separately from its calling to mission. It is a God-given mission that begins with the witness to Trinitarian unity and works out in the Great Commission. Unity and mission cannot be separated. A fourth chal- lenge is that the church must address the ethical issues of the day—consum-

8 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 GLOBAL CURRENTS

The Middle East Council of Churches

he council is worth getting to know. The first and the council, an indigenous Christian agency, should re- most remarkable feature of the Middle East Coun- tain the credibility rating it does. It has worked quietly Tcil of Churches (MECC) is its setting. It was through and effectively as an agent of mercy and reconciliation the Middle East that Abraham, his children and grand- in wartorn Lebanon. It has interceded in the delicate children migrated. Here the ancient Hebrew tribes wan- dialogue between the Palestinians and the world, pre- dered, and the judges, prophets, paring some of the more important priests, kings, singers and sages who pathways that led to the peace proc- gave voice to scripture were nur- ess, it was early on the scene in post- tured. And it was here that the war Iraq. It initiated discussions incarnation took place, and the re- within Arab society to engage both deeming ministry of Christ was ful- Muslims and Christians in the exami- filled. The church was born in the nation of what should go into build- Middle East, and here the early con- ing a just and peaceful civil society troversies played themselves out and and it has participated in some mo- the first divisions in the church oc- mentous initiatives of Christian rec- curred. onciliation. There is a pivotal quality The people and churches that to the MECC, and that pivot has in- form the council are the direct heirs tegrity. of all of that. And the vibrant ecu- Having a legacy directly tied into menical movement to which the the early days of the ecumenical council gives expression in this re- movement, the council has served in gion is a profound healing process. another remarkable way. Because of A glimpse of the Tree of Life, whose its long-standing partnerships with leaves are ‘for the healing of the nations’ (Revelation churches and Christian agencies both in the West and in 22:2), is somehow not so distant here. the East, it depicts as no other body in this region that The second feature is geopolitical. Powerful forces the love of Christ transcends barriers and makes of hu- swirl and eddy in this region. They break out from time manity one people. By the sheer fact of its existence it is to time in violence. Death, misery and exploitation are a testimony to the fact that healing can happen. no strangers. Economic forces, ethnic movements, big Finally, there is the intimacy of the council. The twelve power pressures, religious passions ... these make for a to fourteen million souls who claim Christ’s name in the heady mix of variables drawing in influences and inter- Middle East are few in number when compared to the ests from around the world, and predators abound. In constituents of similar ecumenical associations else- the midst of this, for the past quarter century there has where. But being small means that people know each been the MECC, committed to witness and serve in other, and there is a bond of kinship that is rather spe- Christ’s name. The circumstances of human dysfunction cial. It is no accident, therefore, that the council chose place upon it an overwhelming burden. to organise itself as a family of families—the Orthodox, People in the Middle East have reason to be suspi- the Oriental Orthodox, the Catholic and the Protestant cious of those who say they want to do them good. Wolves families. Each makes its contribution to the witness of in sheep’s clothing have been plentiful. In a region over- all. whelmingly Muslim in complexion, it is remarkable that This, then, is the Middle East Council of Churches.

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 9 GLOBAL CURRENTS erism, secularism and materialism. The church’s ethical awareness is pegged to the image of God in the hu- Year of the Lord man person, and that implies that it must tackle moral issues seriously. Fi- Message of the Presidents of the WCC at Pentecost 1999 nally, the catholicos addressed the twin Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, • a ‘year of the Lord’ also means that issues of specific identity and global- Grace to you and peace from God, our the God of the Bible is the one true isation. The contemporary force of Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! Lord. All other authorities and pow- globalisation, that dehumanises and In many places around the world ers that seek to enslave us must destroys local identity, must be con- people are preparing for the start of a yield before God and, because God fronted by an ecumenical awareness new millennium—some are appre- is Lord, nation and race, money and that identity can be maintained in a hensive, others full of hope. For us ideology can never have dominion spirit of unity and reconciliation. Christians the beginning of the new over us. With that as background, Cath- millennium marks the 2,000th anni- Just six months ago delegates from olicos Aram noted that all five chal- versary of the year of our Lord Jesus our churches gathered in Harare for lenges are challenges to the churches Christ and we must prepare joyfully for the World Council’s 8th Assembly, with in the Middle East. Specifically, he the celebrations. ‘Do not be afraid; for the theme ‘Turn to God—Rejoice in noted that the MECC is not an imper- see—I am bringing you good news of Hope’. In the name of our churches sonal office of some kind but a living great joy.’ (Luke 2:10) The angel’s they re-echoed a phrase from the mes- fellowship of churches, and must be- words are fitting for this special birth- sage of the first Assembly in Amster- come a living reality in the life of the day. dam fifty years ago, reaffirming that churches. As the region undergoes And this is also the message we ‘we intend to stay together’. rapid change and disruption, the MECC must give to all those who are looking And together we shall also move has a role to play in helping churches towards this new millennium with feel- forward into this new millennium, articulate what they are facing. Fur- ings of uncertainty or even of fear. trusting in God’s Spirit, the Spirit of thermore, the MECC promotes re- Apocalyptic and sectarian notions are Pentecost. God’s Spirit will guide us gional ecumenism in encouraging the flourishing at the present time. But it and help us to understand one another churches to work together thereby is also a time when many people are better despite our different traditions proving that partnership, though com- open to new ideas and eager for di- and cultures. God’s Spirit will help us plex, is possible. The MECC must be rection and reassurance. To those who together to speak to the world about sustained in a process of constant re- are anxious, to those who have ques- ‘God’s deeds of power’ (Acts 2:11) and view. The constantly changing environ- tions, we say: this new year, too, will to tell all people of Christ’s promise, ment demands that the churches focus be a ‘year of the Lord’: ‘Remember, I am with you always, to upon unity, education and diakonia • a year that is given to us by the one the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20). with a flexible understanding. The who holds time and space in his MECC should not seek for models in hands and who gives us the earth Dr Agnes Abuom, Nairobi, Kenya; other organisations, even the WCC. The and all its fruits Rev. Kathryn Bannister, Bison, KS, churches of the Middle East must make • a year for which we are account- United States of America; Rt Rev. their own structure according to their able before God. We must heed the Jabez L. Bryce, Suva, Fiji; H.E. Metr. own priorities. According to him, if, critical questions that people are Chrysostomos of Ephesus, Athens, in the MECC, the region’s churches are asking and repent. It is true, we Greece; H.H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, faithful to themselves and their par- have not done enough to overcome Damascus, Syria; Dr Kang Moon-Kyu, ticularities, they will have something our divisions. We have not shown Seoul, Korea; Bishop Federico J. of true value to share with the world forth the peace of Jesus Christ Pagura, Rosario, Argentine; Bishop ecumenical movement. clearly enough for the world to see Eberhardt Renz, Stuttgart, Germany

10 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS Bukit Inspirasi (Inspiration Hill)

The Preparatory Committee visits the open amphitheatre located on the shore of Tondano Lake (about fifteen minutes drive from Tomohon), the planned site for the cultural program during the CCA Assembly in June 2000 he eleventh General Assembly of hosted by GMIM, one of the member the Assembly. The committee was CCA, scheduled for 1–6 June churches of CCA, in collaboration with warmly welcomed by the leadership of T2000, will be held at the Audito- the Communion of Churches in Indo- the GMIM, especially Rev. Dr W.A. rium of the Gereja Masehi Injili di nesia (PGI). Roeroe, General Chairman, and Rev. Minahasa (Protestant Christian Church The Preparatory Committee of the Nico Gara, General Secretary. in Minahasa, GMIM) located at the Assembly was appointed by the Gen- The members of the GMIM warmly Bukit Inspirasi (Inspiration Hill) in eral Committee in May 1997. welcome participants of the CCA As- Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, The Committee held its second sembly 2000 to stay in their homes and under the theme ‘Time for the Fullness meeting in Tomohon on 22–23 April enjoy Minahasa hospitality. of Life for All’. The Assembly will be 1999 and was able to visit the site of Henriette Hutabarat The Road to Tomohon

he road to CCA’s 11th Assembly tional review. Our agenda is geared in blies of CCA in many ways. For one in Tomohon is now clear. Details such a way that a significant time will thing, in Tomohon we return to our Tof the preparations will be pre- be devoted to Assembly matters. Let me roots. Over forty years ago the CCA was sented and discussed later, along with predicate that discussion however with born in Indonesia amidst the difficul- presentations and discussions of other a number of general comments on the ties, uncertainties and challenges of matters related to the Assembly, such Tomohon Assembly. The Assembly will the post-independence years. Forty- as vision and structure and constitu- be very different from recent assem- three years later we return to Indone-

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 11 CCA IN FOCUS sia to start work amidst the enormous ing in the kind of Assembly we will no hesitance that the recognition of challenges, dilemmas, opportunities have. incredible achievements will be bal- and uncertainties of a new century and The emerging inputs and prepara- anced by a critical sense of areas of a new millennium. This sense of his- tory work that are moving towards the repentance and renewal. We are now, torical return and historic projection Assembly indicate quite clearly that and will be even more so, under the will be an important ingredient of our beyond making preparations for an- enormous and astounding pressure of meeting. For another, Tomohon, like other meeting, it is becoming clear that the changed and continually changing Prapat where the CCA was born, is a what is beginning to happen is a wider life and condition of the church and relatively rural area of Indonesia. It is and more encompassing effort at look- of the human condition in the world by no means inactive and languid—it ing at the future, what form and shape that cascades upon us as we come to is in fact one of the centres of growth the ecumenical movement in Asia the turn of the century and the millen- in the Indonesian archipelago. It is not might become, and what new chal- nium. Above all, amidst all of these however one of the known urban cen- lenges it might confront in the years changes and the pressures that they tres of Indonesian life. The Assembly ahead. Over forty years of history for will bring upon us, we will be under will be comfortable, and will be well- the CCA, and over fifty for the ecumeni- the pressure of God’s own demands fed, but it will not have the frills of a cal movement worldwide, provide an upon us and the call that the Gospel modern Asian city like Manila, or astonishing accumulation of experi- will bring on us in the new age that is Seoul, or Singapore, or Bangkok, or ence in ‘life (and work) together in dawning. The sense of common, costly Kuala Lumpur. common obedience to the mission of and perceptive obedience that brought Above all, however, it will be differ- God’ that should be the basis of a fresh the CCA into being over forty years ago ent because, in a very literal sense, we look at ecumenical life in its varied will hopefully continue to be the pri- will be meeting in the bosom of the aspects. mary sentiment that will guide us as Indonesian churches, and of the There are clear areas of great we move towards our Assembly in the Gereja Masehi Injili Minahasa (GMIM) achievement about which we should all year of our Lord 2000. in particular. We have been invited to be proud. There should, however, be Feliciano V. Cariño live in the homes of GMIM members, we will be meeting in an auditorium specially built for the PGI Assembly in 1980 and which will be renovated spe- cially for the CCA Assembly in 2000, we will be fed by members of GMIM with food provided by local congrega- tions and our pre-Assembly gatherings will spread out into the other areas and congregations of GMIM. Tomohon, in comparison to recent assembly ven- ues, is a very quiet and tranquil place, the pace is relatively slower and life is more relaxed. In the hotels that may be used for our meetings and resi- dences, and in the auditorium where we will be meeting, the air is still clean Bishop Kenneth Fernando, CCA President, and Dr Feliciano Cariño, General Secretary (third and amidst the lush flora and fauna of a fourth from left), meet with Rev. Dr W.A. Roeroe, GMIM General Chairperson, Rev. Dr Richard still-verdant part of Indonesia. Such an Siwu, Chairperson of the GMIM Ecumenical Committee, and Rev. Nico Gara, GMIM General ambience, I hope, will have some bear- Secretary

12 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS World Youth Project and Rural Youth Program Committee Meetings

he 1999 committee meetings of CCCA Youth focus for future regional initiatives. the World Youth Project (WYP) Two types of regional initiatives will be Tand Rural Youth Program (RYP) will be hosted in Taiwan in January supported by RYP this year. One is re- of CCA Youth took place in Dhaka, 2000. gional training, which includes: Bangladesh, from 23 February to 2 WYP also plans to support the Youth • International Development and March. Consultation on Plurality in South Asia, Management Training, coorganised The WYP Committee agreed to sup- which will take place in November in with the Development and Service port eight local initiatives, while the Sri Lanka. In December an evaluation Desk, held in March in Thailand RYP Committee provided support for meeting of WYP project holders will • Youth Workshop on Indigenous and twenty-two local projects across Asia. be held in Thailand. Tribal People’s Rights, to be held While WYP focuses on cutting-edge is- WYP affirmed the need to have a in September in Thailand. sues, the RYP concentrates on devel- Youth Internship Program for 2000 to The RYP Committee also approved opment projects for, of or by rural focus on the Steward Program of the internship and exposure programs for youth organisations. CCA General Assembly next year. rural youth. An intern will be placed A very important regional initiative Evaluation of the past year’s local with CCT-Youth to assist in the plan- supported by the WYP will be the Asian and regional initiatives showed im- ning of the Youth Workshop on Indig- Youth and Student Gathering (ASYG) provements. Report guidelines circu- enous Rights this year. Exposure in 2000. This proposal was drafted by lated to project holders contributed to programs to other countries will be a working group formed from staff and improving the evaluation process. The arranged for potential youth leaders youth members of Christian youth and Report of Project Holders helped in who are nominated by the RYP project student organisations throughout the determining the success or failure of holders. This effort is to develop hu- region. Another preparatory meeting the project and in providing informa- man resources among rural youth was held in May to make specific pro- tion for the committee to report to groups across Asia. gram plans for the gathering, which funding partners and to determine the Lung Ngan Ling Impressions of Bangladesh WYP committee member Emma One of the things we were to learn honestly I would say I was at first scep- Leslie gives her view of Bangladesh about the people of Bangladesh is that tical of this display of generosity. After they harbour the most overwhelming all, we were meeting to distribute this angladesh is a country of 120 hospitality I have ever experienced. In year’s funding to various projects million people, perched on a se- our spare time we were invited to peo- throughout Asia, including Bangla- B ries of sandbanks awaiting the ple’s homes, no matter how simple, to desh. But after ten days I came to see next flood season. Survival is the ba- share in the afternoon ritual of ‘tak- that this is the beauty and grace of the sic instinct of everyone, in a nation that ing tea’ or for a morning curry and rice Bangladeshi. Whatever they have, no was crippled by war in the early 1970s, or numerous other delicacies. On each matter how small or humble, they will lacks natural resources and is ex- occasion we were presented with gifts share it. It was not just a sharing of ploited by multinational organisations and tokens of love from the household gifts, but of homes, families, stories, keen to cash in on cheap labour. or the host family. If I was to speak struggles and love. By the time we left

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 13 CCA IN FOCUS

was a privilege to sit and listen to their stories of how duck- and chicken-rais- ing had improved their lot. In one village I was horrified to be asked whether it was possible for me to be friends with these women. I said, of course, why not? They replied well you are so much richer than us. This developed into a conversation in which we were able to exchange life experi- ences and learn a little from each other. They asked me many times to give them advice about how to improve their lives. Finally I asked them the same question and their advice to me was, ‘Don’t quarrel with your hus- band’. This is an Islamic country Committee members working hard where women have no rights and can be cast out by their husband at any we felt we had known the young peo- tion to their plight and won’t move time. ple of the Bangladesh National Coun- until a few taka are thrown in their Bangladesh is such a paradoxical cil of Churches for many years and that direction. place where hospitality and generos- we were leaving old friends behind us. We made a visit to see one of the ity comes hand in hand with poverty, There are 300,000 rickshaw pull- projects the Rural Youth Program corruption, suspicion and abuse. We ers in Dhaka, who are so poor they (RYP) had been supporting, a pro- met remarkable people working to rent their rickshaws from slum dwell- gram providing training, credit and overcome the injustices and imbal- ers. So are the 4,000 families who lost savings programs to village women. It ances. their homes during our visit because of a massive fire that swept through their slum. Cardboard homes burn so easily, especially when a fire is delib- erately lit to clear people away for fu- ture development. So are the young girls who work eighteen-hour shifts in garment factories sewing clothes for the developed world and wealthy mid- dlemen, hoping they can raise enough money for their dowry, in order to at- tract a half-decent husband who won’t beat them or abuse them too badly. So are hundreds of beggar children sell- ing flowers amidst the traffic and the layers of pollution it generates. So are the lepers who throw themselves in front of cars in order to attract atten- Making a presentation to the Moderator of NCCB Youth

14 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS Asian Students and Youth Gathering 2000 he Asian Students and Youth Gath and concerns January 2000 in Taiwan. Over 100 ering (ASYG) 2000 is being jointly • enable youth and students from youth and students across Asia will be Torganised by Christian student Asia and the Pacific to evolve a com- invited. The theme of the gathering is and youth movements in Asia: Chris- mon understanding and analysis of ‘Review, Reflect, Renew: Building Sus- tian Conference of Asia Youth, Inter- the issues and their role in society, tainable Communities’. During the national Young Christian Students as well as identify and develop al- gathering three overlapping consulta- Movement, International Movement of ternative paradigms that promote tive processes will be initiated: at na- Catholic Students Asia Pacific, World fullness of life and formulate con- tional, intramovement and subregional Student Christian Federation Asia Pa- crete regional strategies levels. cific Region, and Young Men’s Chris- • enable the participating students These processes will endeavour to tian Association—Asia Alliance. This and youth movements in Asia to fur- come up with a common understand- network was initially formed to plan ther strengthen ecumenical part- ing and analysis of issues and for ASYG in 1993 as a regional pre- nership and sharing efforts between concerns related to development and paratory event for the Ecumenical Glo- and among themselves globalisation and the role of young bal Gathering of Youth and Students • enable the coorganising movements people in society, as well as to identify (EGGYS) in 1993. and participants to come up with a and develop alternative paradigms and Focusing on the issue of global- clear follow-up plan to be imple- a common program of action at the isation and with different tools of mented at regional, national and different levels mentioned above. As it analysis, including a biblical-theologi- local levels. is a common concern among all the cal perspective, ASYG 2000 intends to: ASYG 2000 will comprise two participating movements, a gender • review critically the socioeconomic phases. In the first phase (January to balance will be observed for ASYG development of the postcolonial December 1999) the local movements 2000. It is expected that men’s and period in Asia of the coorganising partners are en- women’s caucuses will take place dur- • initiate a process of participatory couraged to work together in an ing the gathering. study on concerns related to devel- integrated process of participatory re- Finally, a report/documentation will opment and globalisation, and their search and study, and an awareness- be published and distributed in the effects and impact on young peo- raising campaign at the national level. first half of 2000 to the participants ple, the educational system and so- The result of the national activities will and Asian and international youth and ciety in general be shared in the regional gathering. student networks, as well as funding • facilitate a consolidated awareness- The second phase is the regional gath- partners. raising campaign on these issues ering itself, which will be held 21–28 Lung Ngan Ling Asia Youth Week 10–16 October 1999 CCA Youth celebrates Asia Youth Week during the third week of October every year. This year the theme is ‘Globalisation’. A postcard and resource material on related liturgies, and articles from youth perspectives will be published and distributed in August 1999. Please join us in the celebration with young people in your own locality.

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 15 CCA IN FOCUS Development Management Training

four-week Development Man- unfulfilled if we de not do something in Asian contexts. The importance of agement Training (DMT99) was and act now’. He added, ‘And I am understanding project management A organised in Chiang Rai and happy that we are here today to share concepts and skills was a central point Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 28 Febru- experiences and learn from each of the program. ary to 27 March 1999. other, as partners with the suffering Three resource persons then facili- Twenty-seven participants, repre- masses in the long and arduous jour- tated a systematic study on ‘project senting church, church-related and ney towards the fullness of life and management knowledge and skills’, social-development organisations social justice. including a community-needs assess- from the Philippines, Indonesia, Ma- ‘We are gathered here to subject the ment, steps in project planning and laysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, dominant development model to a cri- implementation, project monitoring, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka tique and discover the basic issues that evaluation and report writing and and Nepal participated. The course hinder genuine people’s development. presentation. Using adult-learning was facilitated by Rev. Sammie For- We are here to denounce the oppres- principles, participants were able to milleza (Philippines), Bennet Ban- sive character of globalisation and to have hands-on practice in project pro- jamin (India), Dr Edith Maslang announce the liberating aspects of posal making, project evaluation and (UP, Philippines), Emmanuel Ilagan development emerging from people’s report writing. (ESCAP, Thailand) and Joop Theun- movements for social transformation.’ As part of the course, field visits to issen (ESCAP, Thailand). The course agenda moved beyond community and project sites were ar- DMT99 was the first in the series a general discussion of development ranged. These provided a venue for an of a three-year program (1999–2001) issues, concepts, theories and ap- exchange of ideas and experiences initiated by CCA Development and proaches. Bennet Benjamin had the between participants and the local Service in conjunction with CCA Youth. important task of setting the tone of Thai development workers, project In his opening remarks, ‘I Have a the course with various aspects, members and villagers. This was then Dream’, Rev. Sammie Formilleza em- models and impacts of development used as a case study for the course. phasised that the ‘dream will remain schemes around the world, especially Prawate Khid-arn

16 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS Urban Rural Mission Programs

n the absence of a URM staff worker until the appointment of Josef IWidyatmadja, Ahn Jae Woong has looked after URM programs. The fol- lowing took place in the first half of 1999.

Grassroots Organisers Training Program (GOTP) This program was held 12–24 Janu- ary at the Villa Jessica Inn and Action for Development Foundation, Inc. (AC- TION) in Tacloban City, Philippines. GOTP was conducted by Oca Fran- cisco, a member of the Training Task Force (TTF) of CCA URM, who made a tremendous contribution in building leadership formation in CCA URM. of the church and URM for women sion, held 11–13 May in Seol. Kavaljit There were seven sessions: an over- workers in Asia and to strengthen the Singh is a well-known Indian econo- view of GOTP, the course curriculum, solidarity network among women mist, the author of Citizen’s Guide to URM thrusts and direction, global and workers. Other areas of concern in- the Globalisation of Finance and co- Asian contexts, community organisa- cluded globalisation, the IMF, World ordinator of the Delhi-based Public tion and people empowerment, the ID/ Bank, WTO, TNCs and women work- Interest Research Group. He made a OS concept and evaluating training. ers, and the role of URM. The couple of important speeches during Rev. In Myung Jin, Moderator of questions, ‘Why there is massive un- his visit to Seoul and was able to meet CCA URM, and Ahn Jae Woong from employment all over Asia?’ and ‘What with many people and civil society CCA led a session on the URM thrusts alternatives are being made or con- groups in Korea. His book had been and direction of CCA. (A full report of ceived by women workers?’ were well published into Korean by KCAO and it GOTP is available on request from examined. is very popular among people in grass- CCA.) Lively discussions followed and an roots movements. exposure program was arranged to The aim of the consultation was to Training Program for URM Related factories, slum areas and churches as build a strategy for coping with the Women Workers well as meeting women workers. (A impact of the globalisation of finance This program was held 4–11 April at full report of this program is also avail- on the economy of Korea and people’s the YMCA Collins House, Bangkok, and able on request from CCA.) lives. The consultation decided to PJS-SDSC, Chiang Mai, Thailand raise awareness of the problem of Janejinda Pawadee, a member of URM Exchange Visit globalisation of finance through URM the program committee of CCA URM The Korea Christian Action Organisa- activities, have regular meetings on the conducted this program. The purpose tion (KCAO) invited Kavaljit Singh as issue, and devise a strategies to coun- was to exchange and share the situa- the keynote speaker at their national ter financial globalisation. tion of women workers and the role consultation on urban and rural mis- Ahn Jae Woong

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 17 CCA IN FOCUS Human Rights Violations Provide Sharp Focus for Training Program

rishanthi was 18 years old. She Program was held in Bangkok. Partici- ing from the participants provided an was educated, well respected, pants came from throughout Asia to even sharper focus for the training Kmiddle class. On her way home share stories of human rights viola- program. from a school examination, she was tions—including the story of Krish- Again and again the conference stopped at the Chemmani Army check anthi—reflect on the concept of heard reports of human rights abused point in Sri Lanka for ‘intensive ques- human rights, develop strategies for and under threat. tioning’. When she didn’t arrive home, advocacy and prepare themselves bet- Stories of child labour and child her mother, brother and a neighbour ter to be active supporters of human abuse in Thailand, Bangladesh and went to look for her. All disappeared. rights in their home countries. Vietnam, religious tension and dis- An investigation led to the discovery The timing could not have been crimination in India, Indonesia, Paki- of the decomposed bodies of Krish- more appropriate. As the program stan, Laos and Myanmar, government anthi, who had been dismembered, went about its work, the Philippines preference for security over human and her mother, who had been stran- Senate voted in favour of the Visiting welfare from the Philippines, Sri Lanka gled. It was later disclosed that Forces Agreement, inviting the return and South Korea, calls for self-deter- Krishanthi had also been gang raped. of the United States military, and India mination for indigenous people in During 25–30 May 1999 the CCA’s and Pakistan stood on the brink of Malaysia and Aotearoa New Zealand, third Annual Human Rights Training conflict. Even so, the stories emanat- and details of the traumatic human

18 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS cost of political change in Indonesia Old and New Testament perspectives fected children in Asia both because and Hong Kong meant the training pro- by Rev. Dr Oscar Suarez from Manila. families are under increased pressure gram was always grounded in concrete Professor Michael Davis (Chinese Uni- through unemployment and because everyday realities. versity, Hong Kong) guided the group Governments have cut back welfare These shared stories became the through some of the implications for budgets in response to the crisis. touchstone for the conference’s theo- human rights of economic global- On the last day, Alex Marcelino’s retical input, including the two pow- isation and political cultures. He (Consultant to UNDP, Cambodia) erful Bible studies led by Septemmy warned participants to be wary of po- workshop on monitoring and advocacy Lakawa of Indonesia. These invited litical agendas that sideline human gave participants an opportunity to participants to listen to the Bible’s sto- rights in the name of any culture’s ‘spe- identify practical ways churches can ries for the voices of those who are cial values’. promote awareness of human rights silent and to ask how this silence can Professor M.J.A. Cooray (City and forge effective partnerships with be broken. University, Hong Kong), further chal- local and national interest groups, The first day of the program began lenged the meeting to ask what activi- both outside and including govern- with a valuable sketch of the develop- ties can be set in place to move ment. ment of the concept of human rights communities toward more partic- The training program provided a and the critical role it has played in ipative processes enabling human vital opportunity for thirty-five pro- human society from religious, philo- rights to be set in place and safe- spective Asian church leaders to grow sophical and historical points of view, guarded. together in their understanding on presented by Dr Mathews George Srisak Thairy, Director of Child and human rights of how the church can Chunakara of CCA. Youth Development Council in Thai- have an effective voice in calling and These insights were built on in a land, in a presentation on ‘the rights caring for the rights of all God’s peo- study of biblical and theological foun- of the child’, underscored the extent ple in every land. dations for human rights from both to which the ‘economic crisis’ has ef- Chris Nichol, Aotearoa New Zealand Religious Freedom and Human Rights

eligious freedom means the free and national aspirations are framed in ology. In these countries also legisla- dom to have or adopt a religion religious terms. This is sowing seeds tion or regulations are being intro- Ror belief of one’s choice, and the of communal hatred and violence and duced to silence religion. freedom to publicly practise and violating human rights. The right to religious freedom has propagate it. Although a right to reli- Legislation is increasingly being been and continues to be a major con- gious freedom has been enshrined in introduced to control minorities, and cern of the churches in Asia. Recent the constitutions of most Asian coun- to prohibit or discourage religious incidents in different Asian countries tries as a fundamental, religious mi- propagation and conversion. Some have led to communal violence and norities in some countries have been ruling parties use religion to gain religious persecution and several persecuted and threatened by major- popularity among certain religious member churches of CCA have had ity religions and dominant political groups to ensure their survival in traumatic experiences of religious in- ideologies. In several countries in Asia, power. In the so-called socialist coun- tolerance, denial of religious freedom majority religious groups are taking a tries of Asia religion is viewed as an and persecution. leading role in civil and political af- alien force with the potential for op- In this context, the CCA Interna- fairs by trying to dominate minorities, position to the dominant political ide- tional Affairs Unit initiated a study pro-

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 19 CCA IN FOCUS gram to analyse and study emerging regarding race, language, culture and mentalism, promoting a culture of vio- trends with regard to the right to reli- religion. Democracy and secularism lence, hate and intolerance. Different gious freedom in Asia, as mandated by are correlative. No democracy can be religious groups promoted by a for- the last General Assembly of CCA. established without there being a secu- eign agenda during the cold war have The first in this study program se- lar state structure and a secular ap- now overgrown their militant religious ries was held at the YMCA, Bangkok, proach within that society. It is based extremism and are posing a serious Thailand, 23–27 March 1999, when on the principles of equality, justice threat not only to the concept of good the focus was on nine countries within and tolerance. It promotes a culture governance of their one-time foreign the CCA constituency: Australia, Bang- of coexistence. promoters, but also to their national ladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, The fundamental rights guaranteed political establishments as well. Be- Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and in these constitutions and the interpre- cause of their fundamentalist stance, Sri Lanka, analysing the situation of a tation of these rights is being urged in these militant groups are not prepared growing trend towards violence and a broader human rights perspective, to recognise the human rights and sectarianism, which poses a serious particularly after the ratification of the equal status of minorities in the soci- threat to the concept and establish- Universal Declaration of Human Rights ety. ment of a civil society. by more than 150 members of the UN. Therefore, a democratic culture on Since the exit of the colonial pow- Despite this the political establish- secular lines needs to be developed to ers, the nation states of Asia adopted ments of many countries have been establish peace and tolerance amongst written constitutions for running state acting in a neocolonial fashion for people and to bring an end to the gory business and for maintaining orderly their own vested interests. The major happenings in the name of religion that and meaningful state–citizen relations. casualties have been the freedom of are becoming a common feature in our The concept of a nation state presup- conscience and religion. societies. Development of such a cul- poses the concept of a pluralistic so- The abuse of religion for political ture is possible only through a proc- ciety with different ethnic identities gains has developed religious funda- ess of conscientisation and through

20 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS liberative political movements. Those A serious analysis would lead to the religious liberty issues of certain so- who are concerned about nurturing root causes of religious fundamental- cialist countries should therefore also secular democratic principles must ism. Almost all Asian churches live in be studied, taking into consideration continue to pay attention to the estab- a context of religious pluralism. This national sovereignty, particularly in a lishment of a culture of tolerance, no- multifaith context poses a serious chal- context where it has been abused by tably through education. lenge to the churches in Asia in terms colonial powers. The study should be It was reaffirmed at the study pro- of their theological understanding of focused on political dimensions and gram that issues of religious freedom mission and evangelism. implications. should be studied within the larger In so many Asian contexts, the The controversy of religious con- framework of human rights and should churches have been deeply involved in version should be addressed clearly. underscore the issue of ‘fundamental- the process of socioeconomic trans- The study should also trace the implicit ism’ within all religions, including formation, which has angered the connections of religious freedom and Christianity. Fundamentalism is intrin- dominant religions and groups as it human rights with the economic, so- sic to all religions. How it manifests challenges the status quo. Such situa- cial political and other undercurrents itself in different religions should be tions eventually create tensions and in a country. one of the crucial aspects of the study. even persecution. Human rights and Mathews George Chunakara Cambodian Church Leaders Visit Vietnam group of eight Cambodian Church and worshiped in different opener, since the church situation in church leaders visited the So churches in Ho Chi Minh City. They Vietnam is entirely different from Cam- A cialist Republic of Vietnam, 27– also met with the leadership of the bodia. The Sunday church services 30 March 1999. They visited the lead- Catholic Solidarity Committee. For were full with believers, and the con- ership of the Vietnam Evangelical most participants, this visit was an eye- gregations were organised in a system- atic way. Vietnamese churches are self-sup- porting and are now free from external con- trol. One Cambodian church leader at the end of the visit said, ‘We should learn more from Vietnamese how to strengthen the church without over- seas missionary influ- ence and competition’. The origins of Christianity in Vietnam and Cambodia came from the same mission- ary tradition and the

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 21 CCA IN FOCUS churches in both countries were or- ganised in a systematic way until the early 1970s. As the political situa- tion in these countries changed the churches became isolated from each other and underwent traumatic expe- riences. The new situations in Cambodia and Vietnam provide an op- portunity for churches meet each other. This was the second time that CCA has organised a visit of Cambodian church leaders to Vietnam. Mathews George Chunakara CCA Plans Consulatation on Arms Race CA has been concerned about the studying the question of the arms race analyse trends in the arms race, the deterioration of peace and secu- in Asia. However, in the past three arms trade and strategic security alli- Crity in Asia for some time. It has years several new issues have emerged ances in Asia, with an aim to educate tried to understand the situation and in Asia and these have become a mat- Asian churches on these issues and to respond based on the issues in spe- ter for serious consideration by those reflect on the peace and security con- cific circumstances. As part of its ecu- who are concerned about peace and cept from a Christian ethical perspec- menical response to these issues, the security in Asia. In this context, CCA’s tive. The hope is that this will help CCA General Assembly in 1995 decided International Affairs Committee pro- Asian churches to be engaged in work- to undertake the responsibility of posed an Asia regional consultation to ing towards the goal of building a cul- ture of peace. A preparatory committee meeting to plan this consultation was held in Hong Kong on 27–28 April 1999. The committee, with the assistance of two experts, identified the main thrusts of the consultation and worked out de- tails. CCA will invite a group of forty people—church leaders, academics, peace activists, government officials, diplomats and interreligious organisa- tion representatives—from twenty Asian countries and other observers from non-Asian countries. The con- sultation will be held at Bandung, In- donesia, in November 1999. Mathews George Chunakara

22 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS Executive Committe Meeting he CCA Executive Committee held its meeting in Hong Kong on 7–8 TMay 1999. The Committee discussed the prep- aration for the CCA Eleventh General Assembly, to be held in June 2000. It appointed two new executive staff, Pas- tor Corazon Tabing-Reyes from the United Church of Christ in the Philip- pines to be Executive Secretary of Women’s Concerns and Rev. Joseph Widy-atmadja from the Christian Church in Indonesia to be the Execu- tive Secretary for Urban Rural Mission (URM). The officers also took the occasion to issue a ‘Call to Prayer’ for all Asian in the region. The Committee received Finance Report presented by Dr Ahn churches to pray together for various the General Secretary’s Report pre- Jae Woong. crucial concerns in the life of people sented by Dr Feliciano Cariño and the Henriette Hutabarat

Frontiers in Christian Mission: A Theological Roundtable

orty topflight missiologists and century. Papers, presentations and Four background and survey pa- mission practitioners from Asia roundtable discussions will discuss pers for the roundtable are in process F and other parts of the world are themes and questions and will include of preparation: expected to participate in the CCA the following: • a survey of mission and missi- theological roundtable on ‘Frontiers in • biblical and theological framework ological concerns and perspectives Christian Mission’. for conceiving mission today in Evangelical and Pentecostal The roundtable will be held in Hong • the challenge of other faiths and churches Kong SAR, China, on 11–17 November religious plurality: God’s People • a survey of mission concerns and 1999, in collaboration with the Coun- amidst all of god’s peoples missiological perspectives in the cil for World Mission, London, and • mission and engagement in society: ecumenical movement with the participation of a number of models for mission, social thought • a survey of mission concerns and partner ecumenical mission agencies. and action missiological perspective in the life Considered one of the major events • mission and economic global- and work of action groups in the life of the CCA during the cur- isation: faith, witness and the ide- • a survey of mission and missi- rent term, the roundtable is being ology of the market ological perspectives in the Roman called to probe issues, concerns and • mission, proclamation and unity: Catholic Church. coalitions on the Christian mission and Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and missiology towards the twenty-first Evangelical perspectives. Feliciano V. Cariño

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 23 CCA IN FOCUS

CCA Staff Annual Retreat New CCA Staff

n 19–20 May 1999 the CCA Ex- of the people of Macau is important in Corazon Tabing-Reyes ecutive Staff took time out for a letting the church become a window Oretreat at the historical Mor- to the world, specially as Portugal will rison chapel in Macau, with Dr Tso hand over Macau to China at the end Man King of the Hong Kong Christian of this year. Council as retreat leader. Fellowship Dr Tso Man King shared his reflec- was celebrated in a relaxed pace and tion on the context of Asia and the atmosphere through worship, deep re- challenge of moving from an old iden- flection, community integration and tity to a new identity. There were also the sharing of food in the spirit of pastoral tips on practical things that collegiality. staff should consider as they move to Dr Daniel Thiagarajah led the a new millennium. group twice in worship, reflecting on Dr Feliciano Cariño shared some spirituality as modelled by Jesus and highlights of his ecumenical journey the call to ministry as experienced by and from these stories drew reflections astor Corazon Tabing-Reyes, Isaiah and Moses. that point to marks that should char- from of the United Church of The retreat was enriched by Rev. Dr acterise or even challenge ecumenical P Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Michael Poon’s sharing of his minis- work and leadership now and in the has been appointed by the Executive try in church and community in Macau years to come. Committee as Executive Secretary for as pastor of the Morrison congrega- After the retreat, it is all go! go! go! Women’s Concerns for a term of four tion. According to him, a redefinition as a team! years beginning 1 June 1999. It is also of Christianity from the point of view Corazon Tabing-Reyes expected that she will coordinate the program of education within the Staff Cluster on Mission, Education and For- mation of CCA. Cora brings with her much experience and involvement in local congregations, theological edu- cation and ecumenical formation pro- grams. In 1970 she was commissioned to be a Christian education worker (deaconess) of the UCCP and served in a number of local churches. She was a teaching fellow in Christian Educa- tion at the Divinity School of Silliman University (1974–1975) and served on the Faculty in Christian Education at Union Theological Seminary (1976– 1992). Prior to her appointment at CCA, she was the Executive Director of Back: Prawate Khid-arn, Henriette Hutabarat, Daniel Thiagarajah, Josef Widyatmadja the Commission on Christian Front: Mathews George Chunakara, Lakshmi Daniel, Lung Ngan Ling, Tso Man King, Education at the National Council of Feliciano Cariño, Corazon Tabing-Reyes, Emmanuel Ilagan Churches in the Philippines (1992–

24 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 CCA IN FOCUS

1998) wherein the program unit on Josef P. Widyatmadja women was lodged. For a brief period this year she returned to UCCP to take ev. Joseph P. Widyatmadja, an or on the responsibility of Coordinator of dained minister of the Gereja the Program on Christian Education RKristen Injdonesia (GKI), has and Nurture. She has participated in been appointed by the Executive Com- many CCA programs, has wide experi- mittee of the CCA as Executive Secre- ence in national, regional and world- tary for Urban Rural Mission (URM) wide activities in women’s concerns for a term of four years. and education, and has served in vari- Well known in ecumenical circles ous bodies and committees of the CCA in Indonesia, Joseph comes to CCA and other ecumenical bodies in Asia with a wide experience in urban rural and worldwide. She holds a Master’s ministry, especially through the work degree in Theology from the Southeast of the Yayasan Bimbingan Kesejah- Asia Graduate School of Theology, and teraan Sosial (Social Welfare Guidance ology degree from Duta Wacana Theo- Special Graduate Studies in Women’s Foundation, YBKS) in Surakarta, Cen- logical Seminary in Yogyakarta, Indo- Studies, Theology and the Bible from tral Java, where he was director since nesia, and a Master’s in Theology and the Pacific School of Religion in the establishment of the foundation in Development from the University of Berkeley, California, USA. She is mar- 1974. Since 1977 he has been actively Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married to ried to the Rev. Rolando A. Reyes, and involved in the labour movement and Wieke Widianti of Yogyakarta, with has three children, Ermine Ruth, who addressing the land issue in Central whom he has two children, Allen is a student at De La Salle University in Java. He is a member of the Executive Widyatmadja, a postgraduate student Manila, and Hesed Roland and Shan Committee of the Association of Chris- in Indonesia, and Alice Margaretha, Aldrin, both secondary school students tian Institution for Social Concerns who is studying Chinese language in at the Philippine Christian University. (ACISCA). He holds a Bachelor of The- Beijing. Forthcoming CCA Events

Leadership Development Training in Laos Myanmar Council of Churches Team Ecumenical Enablers Program 8–12 July 1999 Visit Malaysia on Migrant Workers Bangkok, Thailand, 25–29 August Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, Concerns 1999 Indochina Program 1–14 August 1999 Contact: Daniel Thiagarajah, Mission Contact: Prawate Khid-arn, and Evangelism Unit Consultation on Freedom of Religion Development and Service and Human Rights in India Rural Youth Program Working Group Bangalore, India, 26–30 July 1999 Bible Study Workshop in Vietnam Meeting Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, 1–6 August 1999 Manila, Philippines, August 1999 International Affairs Unit Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, Contact Lung Ngan Ling, Youth Desk Indochina Program Workshop on Ecumenical Enablers in Youth Consultation on Indigenous and India Congress of Asian Theologians Tribal People’s Rights 29–31 July 1999 Bangalore, India, 9–15 August 1999 Chiang Mai, Thailand, 3–11 Contact: Daniel Thiagarajah, Mission Contact: Lakshmi Daniel, Theological September 1999 and Evangelism Unit Concerns Contact: Lung Ngan Ling, Youth Desk

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 25 CCA IN FOCUS

CCA–WCC Working Group Meeting Conference on ‘Church and Society’ Workshop on ‘Curriculum of Christian Geneva, Switzerland, 6–7 September Northern Territory University, Education in the Context of Asian 1999 Darwin, Australia, 23–30 September Plurality’ 1999 Indonesia, 20–27 October 1999 URM Training Task Force Theme ‘Faith and Life in Contact: Henriette Hutabarat, Daniel Manila, Philippines, 6–12 September Contemporary Asian Realities’ Thiagarajah and Corazon Tabing- 1999 Contact: Feliciano Cariño, Reyes, Education Unit Contact: Joseph Widyatmadja, Urban Theological Concerns Unit Rural Mission Unit Workshop on ‘Worship in Inclusive Leadership Development Training in Community in Asia’ CCA–FABC Joint Ecumenical Formation Cambodia Indonesia, 20–27 October 1999 Course Pnom Penh, Cambodia, 1–4 October Contact: Corazon Tabing-Reyes, Ecumenical Christian Centre, 1999 Women’s Concerns Bangalore, India, 14–30 September Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, 1999 Indochina Program CCA Executive Committee Meeting A joint program initiated by CCA and Hong Kong, 6–7 November 1999 FABC (Federation of Asian Bishop’s Conferences) for South Asia Consultation on ‘Right to Communica- CCA and Partners Roundtable Meeting Contact: Henriette Hutabarat (CCA) tion of Refugees—Asian Experience’ Hong Kong, 8–10 November 1999 and Edmund Chia (FABC) October 1999 Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, Roundtable on Mission and Missiology Training Workshop on Pastoral Ministry MRIA Program/International Affairs Hong Kong, 11–17 November 1999 of Churches on HIV/AIDS Concerns in Unit Theme: ‘Frontiers in Christian the Mekong Subregion Mission: A Theological Roundtable’ Chiang Mai, Thailand, 9–25 Community-based Saving and Micro- Contact: Feliciano Cariño and Daniel September 1999 credit Training Thiagarajah, Theological Concerns Participants will represent churches Bangladesh, 3–9 October 1999 and Mission and Evangelism Units from the Mekong subregion, Contact: Prawate Khid-arn, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Development and Service Unit Asian Consultation on ‘Towards a Cambodia, Vietnam and China Culture of Peace and People’s Security’ Contact: Prawate Khid-arn, Asia Youth Week Bandung, Indonesia, Development and Service 10–16 October 1999 24–28 November 1999 Theme: ‘Globalisation’ Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, CCA–WCC Consultation on Emerging Contact: Lung Ngan Ling, Youth Desk International Affairs Unit Asian Crisis and Internally Displaced Communities Youth Consultation on Religious Chiang Mai, Thailand, 12–17 Vietnam Church Leaders’ Visit to Plurality in South Asia September 1999 Malaysia November 1999 Contact: Prawate Khid-arn, MRIA 13–16 October 1999 Contact: Lung Ngan Ling, Youth Desk Program/Development and Service Contact: Mathews George Chunakara, Unit Indochina Program CCA–UN/ESCAP Training Program in China on Rural Youth Workers 11th General Assembly November 1999 Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, 1–6 June 2000 Contact: Imanuel Ilagan, CCA–UN/ Theme: ‘Time for Fullness of Life for All’ (John 10:10) ESCAP Joint Program

26 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 NEWSBRIEFS

New Appointments Harare Follow Up Victor Azariah was recently ap- Three months after the eighth Assem- pointed as Executive Secretary of the bly of the WCC in Harare, the newly National Council of Churches in Paki- elected Executive Committee held its stan. first meeting in March 1999 at the Ecu- Rev. Lolita Dais was appointed Gen- menical Institute, Bossey, near Geneva. eral Secretary of the Convention of the The main focus of the Executive Com- Philippine Baptist Churches as from mittee’s agenda was evaluation and 1␣ March 1999. Rev. Dais is the four- follow-up of the decisions of the teenth General Secretary of the Con- Harare assembly. vention and the first woman in the Tan Chi Kiong Besides considering a preliminary history of the Convention of the Phil- evaluation report by staff, the commit- ippine Baptist Churches to be elected volunteer consultant in various ecu- tee offered its own assessment of the to this position. menical and non-governmental or- assembly’s program and its outcome The Most Rev. Tomas A. Millamena ganisations in the area of organisation and suggested some directions for the has been elected as the new head of review and support. Previous involve- consolidated evaluation report to be the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in ment and interests bring him very submitted to the Central Committee at the Philippines. close to the work that ECTWT has been its first meeting in August–September Rev. Dr J.M. Ngul Kan Pau has been doing and hopes to do in the future. this year. elected as the new General Secretary His office is located in the CCA Cen- The formation of future WCC com- of the Council of Baptist Churches in tre at 96 Pak Tin Village, Mei Tin Road, missions and advisory groups was con- North East India. Sha Tin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China, sidered. Suggestions of names of Rev. Johanis Bedjo Sudarmo was and he can be contacted by telephone persons for these commissions and recently appointed as the General at +852 2603 2669 or by e-mail at groups are invited. The Executive Com- Secretary of the Javanese Christian contours@pacific.net.hk. mittee, at its meeting prior to the Churches (GKJ) in Indonesia. The Ecumenical Coalition on Third Central Committee, will review all pro- World Tourism (ECTWT) was formed posals received and submit its recom- in 1982 by the: Christian Conference mendations to the Central Committee. of Asia (CCA), the Federation of Asian An important decision by the as- New ECTWT Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) through sembly to form a special commission Executive Secretary its Office for Human Development to address concerns being raised par- (OHD), the Pacific Conference of ticularly by the WCC’s Eastern Ortho- Tan Chi Kiong, immediate past Gen- Churches (PCC), the Caribbean dox member churches was discussed eral Secretary of the Asia Alliance of Conference of Churches (CCC), the and a list of proposed members from YMCAs and Director of the Asian Mi- Consejo Latinoamericano de Iglesias among the WCC’s ‘non-Orthodox’ grant Centre in Hong Kong, has agreed (CLAI), the All Africa Conference of member churches is being considered. to serve as the Executive Secretary of Churches (AACC) and the Middle East An interim report was made on ex- the Ecumenical Coalition for Third Council of Churches. These bodies plorations regarding a possible Forum World Tourism (ECTWT). Well known agreed to form a coalition in order to of Christian Churches and Ecumenical in ecumenical circles in Asia and in enable people’s response to tourism Organisations. After a further meeting the worldwide network of the YMCAs, in the Third World. The General Sec- with potential partners in the forum, “Chi Kiong”, as he is known to friends retary of CCA, Dr Feliciano V. Cariño more specific recommendations will and colleagues, is a seasoned ecu- is the Chairperson of the Executive be formulated for consideration by the menical worker currently serving as a Committee of the ECTWT. Central Committee.

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 27 NEWSBRIEFS

agency for emergencies, and it has may soon come to an end. He said that New General three major partners with whom it is it will be hard for the anger and the Secretary of the working in the region around Kosovo: desire for retribution to disappear, but the Diaconia Agapes—the social and for this we must work and pray. Caribbean Council of development office of the Orthodox Churches Church in Albania, the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation Gerard A.J. Granado, a layman of the in the Former Yugoslav Republic of New Associate Roman Catholic Church, has been Macedonia and Orthodox Christian General Secretary for elected as the new General Secret- Charities in Montenegro. ary of the Caribbean Conference of The ACT team, as well as workers Finance Churches. Gerard, who comes from from other aid organisations, had Dr Ahn Jae Woong took up the posi- the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, problems in getting agreements for tion in CCA of Associate General Sec- is no stranger to the ecumenical move- new refugee camps in Albania. The retary for Finance in January. He says, ment in the Caribbean and beyond. In Albanian authorities, and others, are ‘There are many challenges in my new the early 1980s he was a staff member concerned about increasing security position as the ecumenical movement of the CCC attached to the Caribbean risks for refugees too close to the bor- moves into the new millennium, but Ecumenical Program—the CCC’s theo- der, and people are being moved south the transition has been made easier by logical department. In more recent for their protection. the procedures set up by my predeces- times he served as the William Paton Despite the difficulties, the ACT sor, Christine Ledger’. Fellow at the ecumenical Selly Oak team in Albania were able to start work Colleges/University of Birmingham, on two smaller camps near Kavaja, UK. Before taking this position, he was south of the port city of Durres (just the Associate General Secretary of the west of the Albanian capital Tirana), Increased CCC. and one larger camp near Lac, north Contribution from of Durres. The smaller camps are for approximately 2,000 refugees each Japan to CCA and the larger one for up to 10,000. Several Asian churches are taking a Australian Appeal for ‘We also need to remember,’ adds keen interest in hosting CCA programs Kosovar Refugees Michael Brown, ‘that not all refugees and contributing to the costs. As an are in camps—many thousands are example NCC Japan have pledged to An appeal for Kosovar Refugees by the staying with host families. ACT has set contribute to CCA US$10,000 more National Council of Churches in Aus- up a warehouse and recruited staff in annually for the next three years. We tralia has raised over A$100,000 (ap- Skodra for distribution of food parcels thank the churches in Japan for this proximately US$65,000). to refugees in host families—one way contribution. ‘We are very thankful to have re- to relieve some of the pressure on ceived $100,000 so far for our appeal these most hospitable people. When for Kosovar refugees,’ says Michael this program is fully developed ap- Brown, Director of NCCA’s Christ- proximately 24,000 refugees and host The Peacemaking ian World Service. ‘$90,000 of that family members will benefit from the Church amount has already been transferred food parcels.’ to ACT (Action by Churches Together) While encouraging people to sup- The 75th Anniversary Lecture and Sym- to assist in caring for refugees in the port the NCC Australia Kosovo Crisis posium on ‘The Peacemaking Church’, region around Kosovo.’ Appeal, Michael Brown urged people organised by NCC Korea, was held in ACT is the NCCA’s international to pray that the violence on all sides Seoul, 22–23 April 1999. A keynote

28 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 NEWSBRIEFS speaker was Dr Konrad Raiser, Gen- eral Secretary of the World Council of CBCNEI 50th Churches, who spoke on the theme Anniversary ‘Prospects for the Ecumenical Move- ment in the Twenty-first Century’. This The fiftieth anniversary celebration of was followed by an international sym- the Council of Baptist Churches in posium. Dr Ahn Jae Woong from CCA North East India will be held 17–20 made a presentation entitled ‘Peace- February 2000 at Guwahati. making Is an Overture to the Asian Churches’ in the session on ‘World Peace and the Role of the Church’ along with three other international Presbyterian speakers. Five ecumenical leaders Church of Korea gave presentations on different sub- jects related to ‘Peace and Reun- Sponsors CCA ification of the Korean Peninsula and News the Role of the Church’. For the first time in the history of the Christian Conference of Asia, a member church is spon- soring the publication of an is- Taiwan Prebyterian Smak Sothy Sithara sue of CCA News. Church Meets This is an unprecedented, ognised theological seminary. Christi- generous and imaginative ges- The 46th Annual General Assembly anity in Cambodia was almost com- ture of support. In order to Meeting of the Presbyterian Church in pletely wiped out during the Pol Pot strengthen CCA’s communica- Taiwan was held in Tainan City at era, 1975–1979. Churches were de- tions work, the Presbyterian Chang Jung Girl’s High School Audito- stroyed, pastors were killed and even Church of Korea (PCK) and the rium from 6 to 9 April 1999. Dr Ahn after the Pol Pot era churches were not Dorim Presbyterian Church in Jae Woong represented CCA at the as- allowed to function due to the prohi- Seoul took the initiative to fully sembly. bition of religious freedom under the cover the costs of publishing Communist rule until 1991. What we this issue. In so doing, PCK has see today of Cambodian Christianity is not only provided much wel- only seven years old. This led to a cri- come assistance, but opens up First Cambodian sis in leadership in the small Christian the possibility and challenge Theological Graduate community in the country. CCA initi- for other member councils and ated the theological training of Cam- churches to sponsor issues of Smak Sothy Sithara from Cambodia has bodian students and presently seven CCA News as one way of sup- successfully passed a MDiv course at Cambodian students are studying in porting and strengthening the the Lutheran Theological Seminary different theological seminaries in Asia work of CCA. (LTS) in Hong Kong, where he has (Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Thai- We are grateful to the PCK been studying during 1995–1999. He land). and the Dorim Presbyterian is the first native Cambodian since On his return to Cambodia in Janu- Church for this generous and 1975 who has undergone a systematic ary this year Smak Sothy was appointed challenging initiative. theological training course and ob- Program Coordinator of the Kam- Feliciano V. Cariño tained a theological degree from a rec- puchea Christian Council (KCC).

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 29 IN MEMORIAM Sun Ai Lee-Park

ev. Sun Ai Lee-Park passed away on 21 May overcome the division and alienation between men and 1999. Sun Ai, as many friends and colleagues women as we lay the concrete groundwork for the called her, was a leading Asian woman theolo- achievement of unification of the Korean people. These gian and a poet. For many years, she dedicated two ways: equality between women and men, and the herR life to the development of feminist theology in Asia. unification of south and north Korea, are fundamentally Sun Ai initiated the publication of the famous magazine one and the same way, that is, a way that abolishes the In God’s Image in December 1982 and patriarchy and works to build an alter- became its first editor. She realised the native culture’ (1988). crucial role of this magazine as ‘a fo- Sun Ai was also disturbed by the re- rum for Asian women to express their flection of such domination in the re- suffering and joy, struggle for libera- lationship between human beings and tion, aspirations and theological reflec- nature, where human beings tend to tion in various forms—essays, poems, dominate and exploit it. In other prayers, sermons, drama, stories and words, an ecological concern is also other creative ways … ’ Out of this seen as fundamentally one with the work emerged the Asian Women Re- domination of patriarchy. source Center for Culture and Theol- Sun Ai Lee was married to Rev. Sang ogy (AWRC). Through her many writings, she pointed Jung Park, a former General Secretary of the Christian out that the domination of patriarchy that is embedded Conference of Asia. They had three children. deeply in our society has destroyed not only the rela- I only met Sun Ai personally a few times. But her tionship between man and woman, but also the various thoughts and reflections—through essays, sermons, po- manifestations of relationship in the political, economic ems and other creative expressions—have been a source and social arenas. In addressing the concern of the of inspiration for me, and, I am sure, for the many whose reunification of Korean peninsula, Sun Ai suggested, ‘We lives have been touched by her. need to create a continuous spiral of scientific analysis, She was a woman of courage. Her energy and com- organisation, effective action, theorising and theologis- mitment, her spirit of life and her passion for ‘the full- ing in the creation of a new life model and new human ness of life for all’ were memorable. relationships. This means a change in our daily life to Henriette Hutabarat On the Rugged Road: I

Yet it’s not all that I treasure In my heart are many rooms I tread on a rugged road for loved ones I don’t dwell any longer Some nearer in the cozy nest designated Some dearer to my womanhood Of all I have got It’s not denying my womanhood I cherish them the most Because there is no reason for that They are cozy, warm, and real Because we are able and beautiful

30 CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 IN MEMORIAM

It’s only asking for freedom It means to bear the rugged cross to use gifts the Creator Therefore the way to resurrection has already endowed to meet the call of the timely task It’s wanting to extend as an obedient steward my love and concerns beyond as a faithful partner of creation boundaries fixed by powers new and old And yet in my struggle on the rugged road To go beyond the secure fence I cherish most is scary and painful many rooms in my heart And yet challenging and worthwhile for the loved ones I choose to trend the rugged road who are cozy, warm, and real On the Rugged Road: II

Let us enlarge our vision as far as the horizon over the ocean, over the plain as vast as the whole of creation breaking free from that hard shell of ONESELF and let us go on a freedom journey everlasting In our heart embracing the whole lot of unjustly hurt souls

We can also be as great as the greatest and make a new history if we only believe together and together deny the old way and love, love, love … For the new wine is brewing in us needing badly new skin

Let us cherish on the way marvels of a lone wild flower nearly surviving polluted dust Let us remember in heart’s depth the kindly deeds of dear friends the untainted smile of a little child as we go on the rugged road Oh, daughters of the loving, just God! 17 March 1983, Singapore

CCA NEWS • JUNE 1999 31 CHURCH FEATURE

This issue of CCA News has been sponsored by the Presbyterian Church of Korea and the Dorim Presbyterian Church in Seoul. We are grateful to PCK and the Dorim Church for this generous initiative The Presbyterian Church of Korea

special characteristic of the Protestant church in began to fall into confusion. Finally the seminary was Korea is that before foreign missionaries came to closed. Under heavy pressure, however, the church was AKorea, the Korean people themselves in their own reorganised in 1943 as the Japan Christian Chosun Pres- strength and initiative translated the Bible, began evan- byterian Church. gelism, and established a church. Immediately following Liberation in August 1945, The history of the Protestant church in Korea began there was an interdenominational general meeting of in 1884 when Suh Sang-Yun founded the Sollae Church churches and in 1947 there was a second general as- in Hwanghae Province. In 1879 Mr Suh had been bap- sembly meeting in the south and the PCK was officially tised in Manchuria by the Scottish missionary John Ross. reorganised at the 35th General Assembly. On this foun- He helped Ross with the translation of the New Testa- dation the church began to grow again. ment into Korean. However, in 1950, the Korean War began and both From 1884, missionaries from the USA, Australia and the church and the nation were decisively divided. In Canada started to arrive. The missionaries divided Ko- 1952 at the 37th General Assembly the so-called “Ko- rea into mission areas to facilitate cooperation and effi- shin” church group separated from the PCK. Subse- cient administration and the so-called Nevius Plan for quently the PROK also separated. evangelistic outreach was adopted. Its three basic prin- However, in spite of its painful divisions, and because ciples were: self-propagation, self-government and self- of the witness of its martyrs, its Bible study, prayer, evan- support. gelism, enthusiasm and missionary work, the PCK has In 1901 the Presbyterian Theological Seminary was become a world leader in church growth. founded in Pyongyang. The All-Korea Presbytery was The year 1985 was proclaimed organised in 1907, and the General Assembly of the Pres- as the Church’s World Mission byterian Church of Korea was established in 1912 with Year. A target was set to have 348 fifty-two ministers, 125 elders, and forty-four mission- missionaries on the field overseas aries. by 1994. That goal was exceeded Following Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910, wor- early in 1994. ship at the Japanese shrines became a very difficult is- Church maturity, unity, peace, sue for the church. After 1938 the General Assembly social ministry, human rights, ru- ral and fisheries ministry, medical mission and reunification have Church Statistics been set as objectives and the (as at 31 December 1998) Presbyteries 59 church has resolved to strive for Churches 6,061 these goals with all of its strength. Ministers (19 women) 8,077 Evangelists 4,147 Elders (22 women) 15,614 Kwon sa (laywomen) 44,820 Ordained deacons 21,792 Dorim Baptised members 1,075,425 Presbyterian Total church members 2,244,944 Church, Seoul

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