ASIA PACIFIC ECUMENICAL NEWS (APEN)

25 April 2010

People’s forum urges ecumenical movement to speak for voiceless and to accompany them in their struggles

KUALA LUMPUR (APEN) – “Asian churches are in a situation similar to the frog in the water that is slowly allowed to boil unaware of the rising temperature until it is too late.”

This was stated here by a gathering of faith-based social activists and church leaders, held from 12-13 April, prior to the 13th general assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).

They said that “church often fails to act” in the economic, social, political, and cultural realms, and added that “The activities of the church are mostly limited to maintenance, self-preservation, amassing wealth and privileges.”

The participants, who came from different parts of Asia to attend the CCA-organized People’s Forum, noted that the church “tends to avoid conflicts especially where its own interests may be put at risk,” and as a result it is in “danger of losing its identity and reason for being.”

The People’s Forum began with a bible study by Reverend Rienzie Perera, associate general secretary for finance and relations of the CCA, who challenged the churches not to be conformed to the world but to transform it as followers of Christ.

Dr M P Joseph, a professor from a theological university in Taiwan wanted the churches to be “informed, transparent, accountable, responsible and self-critical” and be in solidarity with the poor and the vulnerable.

The forum felt that the ecumenical movement has become “empire building and ecclesial-techno-bureaucratic.”

“The ecumenical movement must amplify the voice of the voiceless and accompany in their struggles,” it said.

Affirming the message of justice, hope, love and the biblical notion of the fullness of life for all, the forum noted that the ecumenical movement has a prophetic role to challenge the systems that are based on “greed, violence and competition.”

In a presentation on “Tourism: A challenge to justice. A call to Asian churches” Caesar D’Mello, director of Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism said that “tourism industry as structured today is a factor in third world poverty.”

He noted that there are cases in different part of Asia where tourism is becoming a tool for community, social, political and even physical violence, and hence a threat to peace.”

The forum also discussed peace building in the militiarized Korean peninsula and the Kamir valley, conflicts and human rights in the Asia region and the churches’ engagement with people’s movements in the context of globalization.

The pre-CCA assembly forum urged the CCA to encourage its member churches and related organizations to support the Korean Ecumenical Forum and similar initiatives that promote trust and understanding between the two Koreas.

It also urged the CCA to create its capacity to support member churches to engage in efforts for building peace, especially to strengthen peace initiatives of the churches in India and Pakistan in relation to supporting the interests of the people living in the Kashmir valley.

The participants recommended the Asian ecumenical body to continue and develop ecumenical pastoral visits including fact-finding, study and solidarity missions, and provide support to member churches to protect victims of human rights violations, displaced persons, refugees and other asylum seekers.

One of the objectives of the forum was “to draw implications for churches’ mission amidst broken, bruised and brutalized people and communities.”