Editorial

Once again, the Christian Conference of Asia-Faith, Mission and Unity (CCA-FMU) is pleased to publish some lectures that were featured in the recent Ecumenical Lecture Series. These lectures were delivered by a number of Asian theologians and educators in three separate occasions and venues and on different themes.

Dyanchand Carr, an Indian theologian, gave three lectures in Payap University's McGilvary Faculty of Theology. At the time of the lectures, he was the principal of Tamilnadu Theological Seminary in Madurai, India. This lecture series, the second to be hosted in Payap University, and held in January 2003, had the following themes: "The Gospel in Asia with Reference to the Oppressed and Marginalised Peoples of Asia: Learning from Jesus� Identification with Galilee and from the Dalit Hermeneutic of the Gospel"; "The Gospel in a Multi-Faith Situation in Asia: Learning from Jesus' Attitude towards People of Other Faiths"; and "The Gospel in Asia - In the Context of Majoritarianism and Authoritarianism - Learning from Jesus' Political Views and Actions".

Sri Lankan Catholic theologian Aloysius Pieris, S. J. gave two lectures in Colombo, Sri Lanka in July 2002 at the Ecumenical Institute for Study and Dialogue. Fr. Aloy's lectures were on the following themes: "I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church and in the Communion of Saints" - The Catholicity of the Oikoumene and Holiness Beyond the Church" and "I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins and the Resurrection of the Body � Reconciliation and Justice for a New Heaven and a New Earth." The lectures were jointly organized by the CCA, National Council of Churches in Sri Lanka, and the Ecumenical Institute for Study and Dialogue.

The lecture series at Myanmar Institute of Theology consisted of five lectures by four theologians and educators. However, only four were available in written form, hence only four could be printed in this edition. Hope Antone of the Philippines was then communication consultant of the CCA when she gave two lectures at MIT. Kim Heup Young is professor of theology at Kangnam University in Korea, and Dhyanchand Carr was then principal of Tamilnadu Theological Seminary in India. The lectures were held in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee anniversary celebration of MIT in March 2003 which had the overall theme of, "Innovative Methods in Theological Education." The lectures were jointly organized by CCA, MIT and the Association of Theological Education in Myanmar.

The Ecumenical Lecture Series is an attempt of the Christian Conference of Asia to bring together the grassroots, seminaries, and the ecumenical movement. It also facilitates the exchange of scholars, theologians and educators throughout Asia. With the support of the different program areas of the Christian Conference of Asia, scholars from different fields are sent to various seminaries in Asia to provide fresh thinking and challenges on various topics and to address emerging issues in Asia. Local support (e.g. accommodation and board) of the lecturers is provided by the host seminary or institute.

Asian seminaries and theological institutes are welcome to host the Ecumenical Lecture Series, suggest a theme or topic that addresses their contextual needs, and plan with CCA-FMU and the CCA General Secretary for the logistical arrangements, including the choice of lecturer or lecturers. Please feel free to write to CCA-FMU and/or the CCA General Secretary.



                                                                                                      Hope S. Antone
                                                                                                            Editor