General Secretary's Reports and Speeches
General Secretary’s Reports and Speeches
CCA’s Statement on World Health Day—2022
CCA’s Statement on International Women’s Day—2022
CCA’s Statement on International Migrants Day –2021
CCA’s Statement on Human Rights Day–2021
CCA’s Statement on World AIDS Day–2021
CCA’s Statement on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women–2021
CCA’s Statement on World Children’s Day–2021
CCA General Secretary’s Statement on World Mental Health Day–2021
“Asian churches’ responses to human trafficking must be survivor-led and trauma-informed,” says CCA General Secretary on World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Refugees in our midst should not be forgotten entities, says CCA General Secretary in a World Refugee Day message
CCA urges Asian churches to promote a culture of health and healing
In a statement released on the occasion of the observance of World Health Day–2021, the CCA General Secretary, Dr Mathews George Chunakara said that churches in Asia should promote health-seeking behaviour and take on more responsibilities in their mission and witness towards health and healing. See More>>
Letter from the CCA General Secretary to member churches and councils: “Heal us, O Lord, and we shall be healed…”
CCA’s General Secretary’s Statement on International Women’s Day-2020
CCA General Secretary Message to the Philippines Churches – 23 April 2019
CCA General Secretary’s Statement condemning the devastating bomb blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday
It is with great shock that we received the news of the terrorist attacks against three churches holding Easter services, and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday 21 April 2019 killing 215 people and wounding more than 450.
The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) condemns these horrific acts of violence which devastated hundreds of Sri Lankans on holy Easter Sunday. We share the grief of the families and the dear ones of those killed; we pray for the victims and their families.
The CCA believes that these heinous acts of terrorism are incompatible with the values of any religious teachings or moral values of a civilised society. Violent attacks such as these are aimed at undermining the unity and religious tolerance of the people of any nation which will only push to a situation of anarchy and negation of rule of law. The international community has the responsibility to make every effort to combat the scourge of terrorism and ensure peace and security in the world.
We urge the authorities in Sri Lanka to take strict actions against the perpetrators.
During this critical time in Sri Lanka, our thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured. We stand in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka especially the Christians who live amidst terror and fear. Let us pray to the Lord, Prince of Peace, for the victims of the terrorist attacks who are Sri Lankans as well as foreign nationals. May the divine grace transform the hearts of the perpetrators and grant the people of Sri Lanka God’s abundant blessings to lead a peaceful coexistence in their communities.
Mathews George Chunakara
General Secretary, CCA
21 April 2019
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The world needs a transformative shift to ensure gender parity
International Women’s Day is an occasion every year on March 8 to appreciate, recognize, celebrate, reflect, inspire and convey the message to people and communities across the world to be mindful of the urgent need for the participation of women and men in all walks of life with equality.
The theme of the International Women’s Day-2019, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, once again reminds us of innovative ways in which the world can advance gender equality. The goal of achieving a world where gender equality is ensured at all levels requires constant struggle not only by women, but by both women and men. Although women all over the world participate in socio-economic and political activities, but their contributions are not recognized. The empowerment of women is a need of the hour in every society and in all aspects of life. Despite the fact that innovation and technological advancement provide unprecedented opportunities for people, our world continues to face a growing gender divide, as women continue to face gender inequality in many areas. A growing trend of continuing disproportionate roles of women and men in society hampers gender equality and the establishment of more inclusive systems. In order to overcome such divisions and reach the goal of equality at all levels, the world needs a transformative shift, especially in removing structural barriers at every level of society.
The observance of International Women’s Day is a unique opportunity for all those who are concerned to convey the message of hope to the world that gender parity in all walks of life is a paramount target of humanity. Faith-based organizations have a major role in achieving the goal of shaping the future of societies and inclusive communities with gender equality.
Mathews George Chunakara
General Secretary, CCA
Statement of the CCA General Secretary on Bombing of Mount Carmel Cathedral in the Philippines – 28 January 2019
MESSAGE OF GREETINGS FROM CCA GENERAL SECRETARY TO THE SENATE OF SERAMPORE BI-CENTENARY CELEBRATION
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As you celebrate and rejoice on this occasion of the commemoration of the bicentenary of the Serampore College and centenary of the Senate of Serampore, the CCA joins with the leadership of the Senate of Serampore to thank God for His abundant mercies and blessings.
The legacy and contribution of the Serampore College and the Senate of Serampore (University) over the past two centuries in nurturing theological education and ecumenical formation are unparalleled in Asia.
During the past six decades, the CCA and its forerunner EACC closely collaborated with Senate of Serampore in strengthening theological education in Asia. CCA was instrumental in developing the idea of strengthening Asian theology and theological education with Asian emphasis at the 1965 Kandy (Sri Lanka) Conference, which was organised by CCA on the theme, ‘The Task of Theology in Asia’. CCA General Secretaries D.T. Niles of Sri Lanka and U Kyaw Than of Burma were keen to promote theological education in Asia rather than sending students from Asian churches to the Western countries. In 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, CCA had initiated scholarships for students from various Asian countries to study in Indian theological institutions.
In a situation where adequate freedom and space to initiate courageous and creative theological thinking is still lacking in many Asian churches, Asian theological education and institutions must take a lead in initiating new ways to nurture authentic Asian theological thinking that is more real to the life and witness of Churches.
We cannot negate the fact that the theological education in Asia has by and large gained ascendency and legitimacy as predominantly Western. There is a clear void in ensuring unique Asian or Indian theological identity. Churches, theological institutions and theological educators in Asia still look for Western theological models. Asian theologians and educators prefer to pursue their advanced theological education in the West and yet, they use rhetoric to prove their distaste to the theology of the West. Advanced theological education in the West once again colonises the minds of many Asian theologians but they are often tempted to use certain anti-West rhetoric to prove that they are authentic Asian theologians, which is not a good taste at all!
What Asia and Asian churches need today is a theology that reinforces mutual solidarity within Asia, which can assert real Asian identity, sense of belonging and ownership at all levels. Theology and theological education that help to develop creative and innovative theological insights out of the Asian experiences only would gain legitimacy as a predominantly Asian theology in a pluralistic Asian context. Young and budding theologians and Church leaders in Asia need to be encouraged and equipped to break the silence as and when they are expected to speak out on critical issues.
The celebration of the centenary of the Senate of Serampore is also an occasion to reflect on questions such as how long Indian theological educational institutions and Indian theology can continue to be on the orbits of paternalistic Western models of theological thinking in Asia.
The leadership of the Senate of Serampore should take initiatives to extend theological education facilities and the rich theological resources in India to share with other Asian churches that continue to lag behind in developing proper theological education facilities. The centenary celebration of the Senate of Serampore is an occasion to reflect further about the future role and direction of the Senate to look beyond the borders of India and extend the facilities and opportunities to other parts of Asia.
Mathews George Chunakara
General Secretary, CCA
21 August 2018
Statement of CCA General Secretary on Pakistan’s Supreme Court’s decision of Acquittal of Ms. Asia Bibi from Blasphemy Death Sentence – 1st November 2018
CCA General-Secretary’s Message to CCT 35th General Assembly – 22 October 2018
CCA GS Letter to churches in Central Sulawesi – 1st October 2018
Appeal for Prayers and Solidarity with Victims of Floods in Kerala – 20 August 2018
International Consultation on Wider Ecumenism as Prophetic Witness – Communique 16 August 2018
Statement on the Release of Detained Overseas Missionaries in the Philippines – 6 July 2018
Congratulatory message to WCC 70th Anniversary – 24 June 2018
CCA Prays for a Successful Summit for the Korean Peninsula-26 April 2018
CCA’s Statement on attack against Christian worshipers in Quetta, Pakistan-20 Dec 2017
Statement on the Declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao in the Southern Philippines
Statement on the Illegal Arrest and Detention of Bishop Carlos Morales of the Philippine Independent Church
Statement on Concern over Religious Intolerance and Violence in Asia – 27 July 2016
Report of the CCA General-Secretary-18 July 2016
GS Letter to Suicide bomb attack against innocent people in Pakistan (29 March 2016)
GS Keynote Address In Search of a New Vision for Christian Mission in Asia_March 2016
Statement Condemning the Police Firing against Farmers in Kidapawan, Mindanao in the Philippines
CCT Consultation Mission 2016, General Secretary’s Keynote Address
Convocation Address delivered by CCA’s General Secretary at the Lanka Theological Seminary, Sri Lanka, July 2015
General Secretary’s Report to Executive Committee October 2015
General Secretary’s Report to Program Committee 2015
A MOMENT WITH THE CCA GENERAL SECRETARY BY WCC NEWS
Shortly after the 14th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), held recently in Indonesia´s capital Jakarta, WCC News had a brief chat with the newly elected general secretary of CCA, Dr Mathews George Chunakara. “Our task ahead is to rediscover the real meaning of ecumenism in the Asian context and revitalize the ecumenical movement”, says Dr Mathews George Chunakara. An experienced ecumenical worker and a seasoned advocate of ecumenism, he served as the director of WCC’s Commission of the Churches on International Affairs from 2009-2014, and WCC Asia secretary in Geneva from 2000 to 2009. He is determined to lead a well-established regional ecumenical organization with a clear focus and a set of strategic priorities. He feels the task will be supported with in the objectives of the mandates derived during the Assembly and by the newly approved CCA constitution. The new general secretary raises a number of critical issues he feels are of utmost importance to deal with ecumenical responses to emerging situations in Asia’s ecclesial and geopolitical contexts. First of all, he is reminded of the fact that the ecumenical movement belongs to God, which is also clearly was the vision of the founding fathers of the CCA back in 1957. He says, “We must keep the ecumenical movement on track and always remain firmly rooted in our belief that this movement belongs to God and that we are all called to live together in the household of God. Secondly, ecumenism must be shaped to address emerging challenges in Asian societies and we thus need to equip CCA members to do that, according to Mathews George Chunakara. He envisions a more inclusive and comprehensive ecumenical fellowship in Asia which should be rooted, grown and flourished from grass-root level itself”. He believes in implementing contextually significant programmes as well as new initiatives with relevant theological undergirding as vital means to strengthen ecumenism in Asia. “The revised constitution of CCA gives us a stronger mandate to set clear priorities for our programmes. We need to filter down from among a large number of initiatives to the most urgent and relevant ones. CCA must address the issue of being the church in a pluralistic Asia and demonstrate it is leadership in the context of wider ecumenism”, the new general secretary explains. Adding to the priorities, he includes unity and mission in a pluralistic context, prophetic witness and advocacy, ecumenical formation and leadership development These will be prime concerns and priorities for the CCA when it moves ahead with a vision for the future. Nurturing a new generation of clergy and lay leaders as well as younger theological teachers who can be instrumental in promoting ecumenism in their congregations, churches and institutions as urgent needs, and the CCA will initiate and facilitate programmes to achieve this strategic goal in the post assembly period. Dr Mathews George is also keen that Asian churches should clarify the criteria of articulating a relevant missiological concept in today’s Asian context. “The mission of the church is God´s mission and that should permeate at all levels when the whole inhabited world today faces unprecedented pressure. The old concept of mission meant for adding more believers and planting more churches on a denominational basis should not be the criteria of mission of the church today. It is time for the churches in Asia to rediscover the meaning of mission for all God’s people and find relevance of Jesus’ prayer ’that all may be one’”, he explains. A major Asia mission conference sponsored by the CCA in 2017 is on his agenda. This will facilitate Asian churches to discuss this issue. As the new general secretary, he visualizes s a revitalized, coherent, coordinated and viable Asian ecumenical movement in the future. And he remains convinced that ecumenical initiatives of all actors in Asia should be properly coordinated in order to avoid fragmentation of the Asian ecumenical movement and conciliar unity. He is also of the opinion that strengthening ecumenism at the grass-roots level plays a cardinal role in nurturing a genuine ecumenical ethos and spirit of the ecumenical movement, in Asia and elsewhere. The next step towards a fresh agenda and concrete action plans with new priorities will be developed by the new Executive Committee of CCA in its meeting next October. (Courtesy: WCC News)
Address by the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia on the occasion marking the centenary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, organized by the Holy See of Cilicia, Lebanon on 18 July 2015.
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The Armenian Genocide otherwise known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, traditionally by Armenians, as Medz Yeghern (“Great Crime”), was the Ottoman government’s systematic extermination of its minority Armenian subjects inside their historic homeland. The total number of people killed as a result has been estimated at between 800,000 to 1.5 million. The starting date is conventionally held to be 24 April 1915, the day Ottoman authorities rounded up and arrested, subsequently executing, some 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. The centenary of the genocide was marked by a historic and unique event organized by the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy See of Cilicia, on 18 July 2015 at Beirut, Lebanon, to commemorate the martyrs of the Armenian genocide. Dr. Mathews George Chunakara represented CCA on this solemn and historic occasion. Please see the message delivered by him.
Address by the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia on the occasion marking the centenary of the 1915 Armenian Genocide, organised by the Holy See of Cilicia, Lebanon on 18 July 2015.
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, ecclesiastical and ecumenical leaders from around the globe, distinguished guests and friends, It is a great honor and privilege for me to participate in this historic and unique event of remembering the martyrs of the Armenian genocide organised by the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy See of Cilicia. I bring you greetings on behalf of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), which covers a vast geographical region, starting from Iran in West Asia to Japan in East Asia; from Nepal in the North of Asia to New Zealand in the South. In several of CCA’s member countries, the Armenian Diaspora has existed for several centuries, of course with their Christian faith and churches. This clearly shows that the presence of Armenians in various Asian countries has not been the result of their plight due to the Armenian genocide, but that they have been living in Asia for several centuries. The presence of Armenians in Asian countries has been evident in several places in Asia, for example, in several major cities in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Afghanistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and China. Some of the reminders of the centuries-old Armenian presence in Asia and the bygone era are still evident. There are even streets named after Armenia in certain Asian cities – Armenian street in Singapore, Madras and Kolkata in India; centuries-old historic Armenian church buildings in Madras, Kolkata, Dhaka, Rangoon, and Singapore. The best known Armenian institution in India is the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy established in the 18th century in Kolkata. These are significant legacies by the Armenians in South and South East Asia. As we know, Armenians have a strong presence and roots especially in the West Asian countries. The participation of the Armenian Church in CCA is more actively taking place now through the Armenian Church in Iran, of the Holy See of Cilicia. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, the primate of the Armenian Church in Iran is in the current leadership of CCA and has been serving as a valued member in the General Committee and Executive Committee of CCA. The relationship between the Holy See of Cilicia and CCA existed even before the Armenian churches from Iran or Australia became members of CCA. I remember the visit of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to CCA headquarters in 1997 and also the subsequent visits of His Holiness to CCA member churches and councils in Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. As you know, the Asian Churches and the Asian ecumenical movement have been part of various expressions of the global ecumenical solidarity with the Armenian people all over the world. The most recent of such expressions was during the 14th General Assembly of CCA, which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in May this year. The participants of the Assembly paid homage to the martyrs of the Armenian genocide and prayed for the departed souls during a session of the CCA Assembly. A statement on the Centenary of the Armenian genocide also was adopted by the Assembly. As a representative of the CCA and the Asian ecumenical movement at this historic and unique event, I convey to you the message that Asian churches and the Asian ecumenical movement will continue to be in solidarity with all Armenians around the world who still bear the pain of the brutality experienced by their ancestors. As you continue your struggle for reclaiming justice, human rights and your lost dignity, we will accompany you in your ongoing struggle and continue to uphold you in our prayers. May God Almighty’s divine blessings continue to be with all Armenians. Mathews George Chunakara General Secretary, CCA
Easter Message 2015
Beloved sisters and brothers,
“Peace be with you!” This is the remarkable message of Easter. It offered comfort and hope to Jesus’ disciples who were scared and overwhelmed by the death of Jesus. With Jesus killed and buried in the tomb, their sense of direction and purpose in life disappeared. They were left with a sense of failure, loss and confusion, not knowing what to do next. They huddled together in a room locking the door for their own security. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who proclaimed to the apostles the good news that ‘Jesus is risen’. They said that Jesus was not in the tomb and that two men in gleaming clothes told them not to search for the living among the dead, as He is risen. “But the apostles did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.”(Luke 24:11) After all they are only women, and women aren’t rational thinkers. Peter and another disciple ran to the tomb and saw the truth for themselves, but returned confused. Later that same evening as they were still talking of their fears and disillusions, the risen Christ appeared in their midst and greeted them saying “Peace be with you!” Today, the frightening realities of the world we live in, create doubts, fears and disappointments in our minds. Easter reminds us that the risen Christ is present in our midst and greets us with his comforting message “Peace be with you.” Yet one wonders how this can be possible? How can we experience peace, when we live in the midst of overwhelming life-threatening situations that create conflict and discord, poverty and despair in Asia and beyond? How can there be peace when a few people guided by their greed accumulate food and resources for themselves while the majority goes hungry; when many young people do not get proper access to education and suffer due to unemployment; when children are exploited and women continuously suffer the humiliation and pain of sexual harassment and the brutality of rapes; when natural disasters render many people homeless and families are on the run from conflict zones. It becomes hard to believe that there can be peace and harmony, when people living in pluralistic communities find it difficult to accept and respect differences in a diversity of religions, cultures and traditions; when people believe that war and violence is the only way to solve problems; when people live in the constant fear of terrorist attacks; indigenous people lose their right over land and are denied their livelihood; and all God’s creation cries out for freedom from such oppression and pain. Our human understanding keeps telling us that there is no hope in such times of trials and tribulations. However, the risen Christ breathes on us, infusing in us a life force that enables us to envision a new direction and mission in our life, even when surrounded by strong signs of violence and death. He even sends us out to follow his steps: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21) With the gift of grace, Christ sends us out to proclaim love and forgiveness, so that all may live together in peace beyond social, cultural and religious differences. Our rich Asian cultures uphold the values of welcoming the stranger, of offering hospitality and generous sharing of food; and affirm a spirituality that reflects the teaching of the Gospel that God in His abundant grace has granted enough resources that can be enjoyed by all in a spirit of sharing. As members of the Christian Conference of Asia, it is our earnest prayer that the Spirit of Christ will continue to help us to live as Easter people and enable us to commit ourselves to the theme of the 14th CCA General Assembly to be held in Jakarta in May 2015: “Living together in the household of God” in peace and harmony amidst Asian plurality. May the living Christ, journey with us to Jakarta and beyond; Wishing you a blessed Easter, Sincerely Henriette Hutabarat Lebang General Secretary
