CCA honours the leadership and legacy of outgoing General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Over the past two weeks, ecumenical friends and organisations from around the world have sent numerous messages of greetings and best wishes to Dr Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), as he concludes his two consecutive terms as head of the CCA.
The messages, both spoken and written, reflect the deep appreciation of churches, ecumenical organisations, colleagues, and friends for an Asian ecumenist whose more than three decades of dedicated service have left a lasting impact on the ecumenical movement both in Asia and at the global level.
To honour Dr Chunakara’s decade of leadership as the Tenth General Secretary of CCA, an evening of fellowship and a farewell dinner was organised in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 2 June 2026.
Church and ecumenical leaders gathered to pay tribute to the internationally acclaimed Asian ecumenist as he concludes his tenure after leading the world's first regional ecumenical organisation for more than ten years.
The occasion brought together more than 100 international ecumenists, including members of the CCA Executive Committee and Programme Committee, participants in the International Consultation on Ecumenism in Asia, international church and ecumenical partners, interfaith leaders, colleagues, and friends.
The evening was marked by warm memories, heartfelt tributes, and inspiring reflections from those who have accompanied Dr Chunakara throughout his ecumenical journey. Ecumenical leaders who spoke on the occasion described him as one of the most distinguished ecumenical leaders of his generation, a prolific scholar, administrator, mentor, ecumenist, and humanist.
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, Moderator of CCA, recalled Dr Chunakara’s early ecumenical engagements, which he had witnessed firsthand when Dr Chunakara served as a CCA youth intern and student in the Philippines while Bishop Marigza was serving as Youth Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. Bishop Marigza, who has been part of the CCA leadership in both the current and previous terms, expressed appreciation for Dr Chunakara’s commitment, dedication, and hard work.
In his tribute, His Eminence Dr Kuriakose Mor Theophilose Metropolitan, Chairperson of the CCA Programme Committee, remarked that Dr Mathews George Chunakara's life and vocation together form what many would describe as a “Living Encyclopedia of Ecumenism”. Metropolitan Mor Thophilose added that CCA would remain indebted to Dr Chunakara for his untiring efforts in strengthening the organisation’s institutional capacity, expanding its programme initiatives, encouraging young Asian Christians to participate actively in the ecumenical movement, and fostering a culture of credibility, transparency, accountability, and integrity leadership within CCA during the past decade.
Rev. Tara Tautari, General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, who worked alongside Dr Chunakara for several years at the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Geneva, recalled his contributions to the global ecumenical movement and his courage in speaking truth to power.
Rev. Tautari, who first met Dr Chunakara during the CCA Assembly in Colombo in 1995, further noted that his ecumenical engagement has been particularly significant in strengthening the visibility and voice of Asian churches within global ecumenical spaces. He has consistently advocated for attentive listening to regional perspectives and for relationships grounded in genuine partnership, helping to shape conversations that are contextually aware and responsive to the lived realities of communities.
Rev. Dr Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, President of the World Council of Churches, and a former colleague of Dr Chunakara, spoke of his remarkable sense of ecumenical history and institutional memory, as well as his contributions in accompanying churches in conflict-affected situations across Asia. Dr Hutabarat-Lebang also recalled his work with churches and communities in countries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the 1990s as part of a joint programme of CCA and the WCC.
Rev. Ebenezer Joseph, former General Secretary of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka, shared memories of Dr Chunakara’s deep insights into geopolitical realities and his commitment to sensitising, engaging, and accompanying churches and communities facing difficult circumstances, including those in Sri Lanka. He also highlighted Dr Chunakara’s genuine concern for others and his deeply humane spirit.
Many affirmed that, throughout his tenure, Dr Chunakara demonstrated a deep commitment to justice, peace, reconciliation and the prophetic witness of the churches in responding to contemporary challenges. Under his leadership, CCA strengthened its mission and programmes, further establishing itself as a vibrant platform for cooperation, dialogue, and common witness among churches across the region. They also acknowledged that his profound understanding of Asia's geopolitical, cultural, religious, and ethnic realities has never been merely academic. Rather, it reflects wisdom cultivated through attentive listening, extensive travel, sustained dialogue, and faithful accompaniment of churches and communities across the diverse and complex Asian continent.
The gathering also celebrated a legacy that has inspired church and ecumenical leaders, as well as young people across generations. Guests reflected on how Dr Chunakara encouraged countless individuals to engage actively in the ecumenical movement while consistently championing the participation and leadership of younger generations.
They also noted that, as General Secretary, Dr Chunakara guided CCA's growth into one of the world's most dynamic and respected regional ecumenical organisations. Under his stewardship, CCA gained renewed confidence and strengthened its credibility, integrity, leadership, and institutional capacity.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara was the first Indian to be elected as head of the Christian Conference of Asia in its 70-year history. He was unanimously elected as General Secretary in 2015 and was subsequently re-elected for a second five-year term.
As colleagues and friends reflected with gratitude on his years of dedicated service, they offered prayers and best wishes for the next chapter of his life, giving thanks for a legacy that will continue to inspire the ecumenical movement for years to come.
The CCA Executive Committee presented Dr Mathews George Chunakara with a plaque of thanksgiving in recognition of his dedicated ecumenical leadership, prophetic witness, and faithful service to the churches and people of Asia. The citation paid tribute to his strategic leadership and steadfast commitment to ecumenism, peace with justice, human rights, and strengthening of conciliarity, acknowledging the lasting ecumenical legacy he has left across Asia and beyond.
The Executive Committee, which met from 3 to 5 June 2026, also paid special tribute to Dr Chunakara for guiding CCA with renewed vision and for making significant contributions to strengthening its organisational capacities and institutional credibility during his decade of leadership. The Executive Committee further decided to publish a Festschrift in Dr Chunakara’s honour.
