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!

As the last gunfire has been shot, the Sri Lankan Government has claimed victory over the close to three decades of fighting with the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lankan governments victory has come at the cost of thousands of innocent lives lost in indiscriminate shelling, according to the United Nations. The UNs Human Rights wants a war crime probe.

The European Union called for an independent enquiry into alleged human rights violations and some 250,000 people displaced by the war (APF).

Western powers have told Sri Lanka they expect the minority Tamils to be part of a reborn democracy where there is tolerance and respect for human rights.

But the United Nations is warning that no time should be wasted in helping hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the final assault.

European leaders echoed this opportunity for Sri Lanka to turn the page on its past, and build a Sri Lanka rooted in democracy, tolerance and respect for human rights. They agree that it is time for the government to engage Tamils, Sinhalese and all Sri Lankans to create a political arrangement that promotes and protects the right of Sri Lankans.

The National Christian Council in Sri Lanka (NCCSL) has appealed to the ecumenical community through Action by Churches Together International towards an emergency response for the internally displaced, those in government camps, and those in urgent need of food, shelter and medical attention.

CCA is discussing with NCCSL a humanitarian mission to the displaced people, and the possibility for an ecumenical visit soon.

2009 Asia Sunday

CCA so far have received several inquiries and requests for copies of the Asia Sunday liturgy guide. The guide can be had from the CCA website (www.cca.org.hk). The CCA secretariat would be very glad to receive news or sharing about your local Asia Sunday activity with your reflections. Also, remember your special offerings for the ecumenical peace work in Sri Lanka. Our prayers should also be accompanied by our material support.

Our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters would be heartened to hear from you, too. Please copy your sharing/feedbacks to Rev. Dr. Jayasiri Peiris, general secretary of NCCSL, in this e-mail address: jtpeiris@sltnet.lk.

Let us continue to uphold each other in prayers, especially the people of Sri Lanka as they chart the path to peace founded on justice.

Forum on the Peace Constitution

War is not the way to peace. Demilitarization is the origin of peace and security. Peace and security cannot be seen within the context of economics alone but in the relations of peoples and establishment of communities of peace and justice everywhere.

These were among the common hopes expressed by the participants in a Forum on the Peace Constitution organized by the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines in partnership with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan, held in Manila, Philippines on May 5, 2009.

Article 9 of the Japanese constitution provides that in aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. In order to accomplish (this) aim. . . land, sea and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. Since 2006, there have been vigorous efforts by the Japanese government to amend this provision, thereby pave the way for the creation of a Japanese army.

Japan Bishop Matsuura Goro issued a call to make Article 9 of the Japanese constitution a world treasure that rightfully merits the approval and support of peace-loving people in the world.

CCA is a member of the Article 9 International Working Group, which plays a role in promoting anti-war and militarism platform in a Plan of Action, which includes solidarity visits, peace marches, peace education among children and youth, and a letter-writing campaign. NCC Japan currently hosts the Article 9 International Working Group secretariat.

Charlie Ocampo, CCA Executive Secretary for Justice, International Affairs, Development and Service will attend the Working Group Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on May 21-22, 2009. Another Article 9 Inter-religious Conference will be hosted by the Working Group in Seoul, Korea in November 2009.

Inter-religious leaders pursue a harmonious society in Southern Thailand

The continued tension and violence in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwas in Southern Thailand, have resulted in the loss of over 3000 lives since 2004. The situation has been more complex and with inter-related causes including historical, economic, political, identity and cultural ones. The problem is further compounded by other factors such as corruption, illegal trade and mistrust between Buddhist and Muslim villagers, and between Muslim villagers and local officials.

Last Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19, 2009, over 200 participants representing Buddhist, Islam, Christian, Hindu and Sikh communities took part in the inter-religious leaders consultation to promote harmony and peace in Southern Thailand. The consultation was jointly organized by the World Conference of Religions for peace (WCRP), Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), Research Center for Peace Building of Mahidol University, Religions for Peace (Thailand) and World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB), in Pattani Province.

Rev. Dr. Pradit Tagernrangsarit, CCA General Committee member, Rev. Dr. Sung Kook Park, joint executive secretary for FMU, and I represented CCA in the consultation.

The participants were able to visit two villages where the Muslims and the Buddhists live harmoniously and peacefully.

Christian communities are a minority in Southern Thailand. There are three Protestant churches in Yala Province and one church in Pattani Province. The Catholic Church and school have existed longer in Yala Province. They live peacefully in a predominantly Muslim community.

It was strongly recommended that the religious leaders regularly meet, exchange ideas and hold joint activities to strengthen trust and mutual understanding and cooperation between the people of different faiths.

EAA seeks an Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) which met in Geneva last May 12-14, 2009, is still looking for a candidate for the post of EAA Executive Director. The complete job description, application form and requirements for the application can be found at: http://www.e-alliance3.ch/execdirsearch. More inquiries and application letter are to be sent to: execdirsearch@e-alliance.ch

Announcements

Rev. Dr. Rienzie Perera, AGS-Finance and Relationship takes a home leave from May 19 to June 18, 2009.

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

No. 19/20 May 2009