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CCA AND WCC Discussions
from Margaret Rodgers
Senior leaders and staff of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Conference of Asia met in Hong Kong for three days in early February to discuss issues of common concern and further possibilities of joint co-operation in the Asian region. Indo-China is already a focus for co-operative work from the two bodies. The return of Hong Kong to China in mid-1997 and the future of the Hong Kong churches were major questions underlying the agenda.
Participants
Dr Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the WCC, senior staff Wesley Ariarajah and Huibert Van Beek, and WCC Asia Secretary Dr Park Kyung Seo travelled from Geneva for the meeting as did Central Committee member Dr Park Jong-Wha from Korea. CCA was represented by three Presidents, Bishop Kenneth Fernando (Sri Lanka), Mr Yotaro Konaka (Japan) and Margaret Rodgers (Australia), Treasurer Susan Li-shu Chang (Taiwan), Dr Feliciano Carino, General Secretary and executive staff.
Issues facing the churches
Dr Carino said that the questions of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong; of North and South Korea; and of the countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia must be a crucial part of Christian and ecumenical life and witness in Asia today. He spoke of the future significance of China and the Asia region in international affairs. "In a still painfully divided world, the koinonia of the churches conveys a message of hope. In the new geography of economic, social and political life that is coming into being in our part of the world, Christian community demonstrates the possibilities of human community. It provides expression to the fact that we are not simply being drawn into the "new world of relations", but are willing to decide to enter into it and help in building its religious and human foundations."
Konrad Raiser spoke of the effects of globalization. He said it has brought a rapid increase of exclusion. "Its beneficiaries are a limited group, and it has been accompanied by the emergence of dualism in societies. There are clear beneficiaries, but also those who are structurally excluded from ever becoming beneficiaries," he said. He argued this has brought an increasing sense of plurality, and a dramatic increase in a culture of violence. "While globalization has brought a uniformation of lifestyles and economics, underneath there is a growing pluralisation with the tendency to reclaim traditional values. These assist in marking difference so that individuals and whole sub-cultures avoid being submerged. Another side of globalization is that it excludes people brutally and therefore provokes a violent reaction by its victims."
Dr Raiser also said that society appears to have reached the end of the period of secularisation. "We now know it hasn't meant a decrease in religion," he said. "There are new religious forces spreading throughout the world, many of them syncretistic. Religious plurality will have to be recognised as a definite characteristic of society, and this is a challenge to historic Christianity. The challenge to the Christian community goes beyond articulation of Christian faith. It will have to affect how we talk about the church theologically. What does it mean to be the church? Our living and being the church will be decisive in this complex field.
The meeting decided that a small group should meet annually for the next three years to continue to explore future co-operation in the Asian region.
Church leaders request prayer for Hong Kong
During the meeting WCC and CCA representatives were hosted to a splendid reception by the Hong Kong Christian Council and church leaders in Hong Kong. Time was spent in discussion of the future of the churches and people. Dr Tso Man King, General Secretary of the HKCC informed the visitors of the Hong Kong Church plans for a global chain of prayer from 15 June to 15 July. He invited everyone to publicise this in their home churches.
The Hong Kong Christian Council has prepared a leaflet with 10 prayer requests. This includes asking people to pray that the Church will steadfastly stand with the people of Hong Kong to give them courage and hope during this time of transition of sovereignty; that Christians in Hong Kong will continue to grow in number and spirit that they may be well equipped to face the new challenges and demands as citizens of the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China; that the Church can continue to spread the Gospel without interference and restriction; that the unity of the church in Hong Kong in their witness may reveal the power and beauty of the Kingdom of God; and that leaders, pastors, ministers and intellectuals of the church be granted a special measure of wisdom and fortitude to carry out their calling faithfully.
Any people interested in their leaflet may obtain a copy from Anglican Media in Sydney, or through the HKCC offices, (e-mail address hkcc@hk.super.net).
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. (Colossians 4:2-3)