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Letter from CCA(“A Letter from CCA” is a sharing message of the CCA General Secretary to update member churches and ecumenical friends about the life and works of CCA. It is electronically published every Wednesday.) Dear sisters and brothers in Christ! Public struggle for the restoration of democracy turned into a massive protest against 45 years of military dictatorship, when Buddhist monks joined in and led the demonstrations. The military junta responded last week by opening fire on the peaceful demonstrators, killing at least ten people by the government’s account. After two weeks of peaceful demonstration, the situation has come to a level of an uneasy calm. Media is seen to be suppressed by the military to a great extent, yet through different means world is witnessing the struggle for peace and democracy going on in Myanmar. In the hearts of the people, the desire for freedom, democracy, justice and peace in their homeland continues. We are unable to contact our member churches in Myanmar as telephone lines and internet connection have been cut off. CCA thank its friends for their heartfelt concern and expression of solidarity with the people in Myanmar. I hope you have been receiving solidarity messages from churches in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other countries in Asia. Let us continue to pray that the struggle of people result into the restoration of democracy and peace in Myanmar. I request you to remember the situation in Pakistan in your prayers as well, where people are also struggling for democracy against the army rulers. CCA condemns the killings of civilians and appeal for the restoration of democracy and peace in both the countries. Metropolitan Mar Iranaeus On 2 October, Bishop Dr. Joseph Mar Irenaeus-the CCA President from 2000 to 2005, was installed as the Mar Thoma Metropolitan. CCA was not able to send a delegate to the installation ceremony. However the congratulation message was sent on this significant event. The CCA General Secretary said in his message, “I had the privilege to work closely with Mar Irenaeus in CCA as a staff, when he was serving on various committees and as the President of CCA. Irenaeus contributed significantly to strengthen the relationships of CCA with its member churches, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, ecumenical organizations and people of other faiths in Asia and around the world. He also showed us the way of how the churches and councils can reach the grassroots people and how Asian ecumenical movement can develop a theology rooted in the context of the oppressed and struggling communities of Asia.” “The leadership and strong sense of justice by Metropolitan Dr. Irenaeus upheld the voices of oppressed and the powerless. I am sure he will continue to play a significant role in CCA’s life and witness by developing stronger ties and fostering peace between Asian nations and peoples.” CCA Preparatory Committee visits Malaysia The Preparatory Committee for the CCA General Assembly, including Rev. Prof James Haire, Mr. Anthony Row, Mr. Shahzad Khurram, Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera and myself will meet with the representatives of the Council of Churches in Malaysia (CCM). The committee members will be discussing the possibility of holding the CCA General Assembly in year 2010 in Malaysia. CCM is the third member church which has offered to jointly host the next CCA Assembly. The report will be presented to the CCA Executive Committee meeting in November 2007. By that time the venue for the assembly will also be finalized. Visitors of the week A group of fifteen church pastors from Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) led by Rev. Yoon Kil-Soo visited CCA office on 2 October. CCA Executive Secretaries shared and discussed common concerns with them. Prawate Khid-arn No. 39/3 October 2007 |