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Floods in many parts of AsiaIn western Odisha, India, floods in the Mahanadi basin affected over 170,000 people, with 23 dead in as many as 19 districts of the State. Thirty-six breaches in river embankments marooned almost 2600 villages. At least 2.2 million people are affected that includes 3,505 villages. It is feared that post-flood diseases will reak out. Food aid has reached flood victims of Kendrapada, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts, with several voluntary organizations and political parties engaged in flood relief activities. Thousands of homes are destroyed and over 61,000 peoples are evacuated to safer places. The situation is likely to worsen further as there are chances of another low pressure which is coming up in the Bay of Bengal Ocean leading to more rain in next few days. (with reports from Angelious Michael, NCC India) In Pakistan, at least 269 people are already confirmed dead, six million affected, with half a million having lost everything they have. Children are dying of diseases and hunger in camps, while food and tents are in short supply. And this to happen even before those hit by the 2010 floods could return to their homeland. posted by cbs on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Peace and Security in Asia: Ecumenical Responses
COMMUNIQUE
from the CCA-WCC Consultation on Peace and Security in Asia: Ecumenical Responses We are writing in the spirit of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) held at Kingston, Jamaica in May 2011, the climactic event of the Ecumenical Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV). We, the church and ecumenical leaders from Asia gathered at the Bangkok Christian Guest House in Thailand from 2 to 5 August 2011, on the invitation of the WCC and CCA, have addressed emerging concerns in Asia, with a thematic focus on Peace and Security in Asia: Ecumenical Responses. We derive inspiration from the powerful biblical concepts of “shalom” and “irene” which connote well-being, wholeness, abundance and harmony with God, neighbour, creation and one’s own self (cff. Luke 4:18-19; Mic. 4:3-4; Ps. 144:12-14) – and indeed, the realization of the fullness and blessedness of God’s creation (Rev. 22:1-2). We are impelled by our faith to fully commit ourselves to realizing God’s reign of peace based on justice, an imperative that has assumed greater urgency in light of escalating conflicts that now engulf Asia. Many of these conflicts and security issues, while long-running and rooted in economic inequities, have been exacerbated by the on-going US war on terror, economic globalization and mounting imperial domination. We have deliberated on pressing issues of peace and security in the context of the current interplay of geo-political trends: the dominant US economic, political and military role in Asia, the emerging strategic competition between China and the United States and, to a lesser extent, between China and India; and the contesting of boundaries and challenging of sovereignty in the quest for highly prized but increasingly scarce natural resources, as well as more secure, cost-efficient trade routes. Among the critical issues with which countries in Asia are grappling is the problem of political repression and denial of human rights. Although many Asian countries claim to be democracies, the paradox is that they are defiled by frequent cases of illegal detention, torture, custodial deaths, extrajudicial execution and forced disappearances. The common people, particularly minorities and the underprivileged, are made to endure all forms of inhuman and degrading treatment at the hands of armed personnel. This displaces the rule of law creating dysfunctional constitutional legal systems. We understand human rights as inclusive of economic and social rights. Far from improving the rights of Asia’s teeming population, untrammelled economic globalization has spawned a stream of economic crises. Once again it is the poor, the minorities and other marginalized groups who are excluded from accessing their rights to public services and goods. A direct result of such exclusion is the continuous migration of the mostly rural poor, seeking better lives for themselves; their dreams and aspirations remain unfulfilled due to unfavourable and often sub-human conditions in which they are required to live and work. Many of them, who are women, are also victims of forced migration and human trafficking. Militarization due to rivalry, unhealthy competition and insecurity, is prompting Asian countries to rely on foreign military aid and to spend precious revenues in arming themselves against their neighbours and justifying their drive for nuclearization. At the same time, militarization has been aimed at legitimate dissent and at resistance movements within their own states. The unmitigated abuse of power in the hands of the few has seen protracted internal conflicts when persecuted minorities and the impoverished majority rise up in opposition to repressive, corrupt and self-serving regimes. The escalation of internal conflict has also seen a proliferation of illegal arms, and the toll on human lives is becoming unprecedented. Asia is the birthplace of the world’s major religions and ideologies, and adherents of various religious beliefs cohabited peacefully for numerous centuries. However, the recent rise of fundamentalism and majoritarianism, which is inextricably linked with economic globalization and superpowers' geo-political manoeuvring, has in many instances almost entirely wiped out the respect and tolerance hitherto enjoyed by minority religions, leading to religious intolerance and violence in the name of religion. Numerous governments foster and promote religious extremism with a view to either acquiring or holding onto political power. The changing geopolitics of the Asian region, due to factors referred to above, has caused the forcible displacement of entire communities: refugees adrift along borderlines and on open seas, fleeing civil wars or border conflicts and oppressive regimes, and massive numbers of internally displaced people living in inhumane conditions. This Consultation recommends: • the facilitation of solidarity and pastoral visits to countries in conflict situations; • the provision of resource materials concerning Asian situations; • advocacy on disarmament and peace; • addressing issues relating to the rights of migrant workers; • addressing issues relating to stateless and internally displaced people; • advocacy for human rights concerns; • advocacy for religious freedom, protection of rights of minorities and strengthening interreligious cooperation. • ecumenical accompaniment of churches and people in conflcit situations in Asia such as in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Korean peninsula. We call upon Asian Churches to provide a prophetic voice against all forms of injustice which breed violent conflicts and threaten peace and security in Asia. posted by cbs on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 CCA Leaders Support the Peace Talks in the Philippines9 September 2011 CCA Leaders Support the Peace Talks in the Philippines The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) is a fellowship of 100 national churches and sixteen national Councils of Churches in Asia. We continue to receive reports from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), a member of CCA and from the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform (PEPP) over the on-going peace negotiations in the Philippines. The Executive Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia met on September 8-10, 2011 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Among the items discussed was the emerging situation in Asia. We note that the Philippines have two ongoing peace talks – between the Government of the Philippine (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP); and between the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). We encourage the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) to pursue the peace negotiations based on the agreed agenda of The Hague Joint Declaration as the framework for the peace talks, which addresses the longstanding conflict and unresolved socio-economic problems in the Philippines, and respecting all other previously signed agreements. We also support the continuing peace talks between the GPH to continue, upholding the best interest of the tri-people in Mindanao as you pursue the peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). We humbly offer our prayers and solidarity support to the masses of the Filipino people who have suffered for too long and encourage them to be steadfast in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace. With our prayers and solidarity, REV. DR. HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG General Secretary cc.: Members of the CCA General and Executive Committees CCA Ecumenical Partners posted by cbs on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 CCA Leaders support Korean Churches’ opposition to navy base plan9 September 2011 The Rev. Kim Young Ju General Secretary National Council of Churches in Korea Seoul, South Korea CCA Leaders support Korean Churches’ opposition to navy base plan The Executive Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia, meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 8 to 10 September 2011, reiterates and endorses the Statement issued by a CCA delegation that visited the Jeju Island, South Korea, in support of the opposition of Korean church leaders to the construction of a navy base. We express our opposition to the navy base construction as it will pose a potential threat to peace and (human) security in the Korean peninsula and beyond in light of the growing contending powers in the region. The navy base construction will also destroy the livelihood of farmers and fisher folk, along with the marine environment designated by the UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. We also heard the voices of the Kangjeong villagers, who felt that their opposition to the navy base has not been heard. We are alarmed at and deplore the arrest and detention of strong advocates of the opposition to the base. We join the call that they be released immediately, especially the Rev. Song Young Sop, a pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). CCA will continue to support, monitor and follow up the case along with the member Churches and Councils in CCA. On behalf of CCA, we humbly offer our prayers, support and solidarity to the Korean churches and enjoin all the Asian churches to do the same. Yours in faith and solidarity, HENRIETTE HUTABARAT LEBANG General Secretary cc.: Members of the CCA General and Executive Committees CCA Ecumenical Partners posted by cbs on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 09:10:11 Creation Day National Council of Churches in Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation Remember the Creator and Creation Campaign 2011 09:10:11 Creation Day (09th October 2011) The Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of the National Council of Churches in God of the Bible is being introduced as Creator. Christian Faith starts with belief in creation by God. Therefore our faith journey is to be celebrated in honour of Creator and Creation. We as faith communities need to rejoice and to celebrate our faith along with the other Ecclesial traditions which are called to observe the ‘Time for Creation’ as an Ecumenical Expression and Solidarity. The NCCI is suggesting to all its The United Nations Organization has announced this year, 2011 as the International Year of Forests. The focus of the International Year of Forests is on the slogan “Forests for People” thereby emphasizing the central role of people in the conservation, sustainable management and development of our world’s forests. The iconographic elements in the event depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a 360‐degree perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water; and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well being of people everywhere, all 7 billion of us. But as we all are aware, the Indian forests and the forest dwellers including species are under threat because of contemporary developmental policies of our Governments. So, this year may all our creation day events be focused on Forests and let us especially pray for the protection of We the NCCI request and encourage all our "The current ecological crisis is primarily spiritual and ethical with serious political, economic and justice implications." "As human beings we have failed to appreciate the intrinsic worth of ourselves, other humans, other species and future generations." Therefore, it is the very right occasion for us as a faith based community to make our members become ecologically conscious and responsible. The Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation of the National Council of Churches in Let us remember the Creator and Creation Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad R. Christopher Rajkumar General Secretary Executive Secretary Worship on WCC Worship Recourses: SCMI Programme Resources posted by cbs on Monday, September 05, 2011 |
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