Asian Ecumenical Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Background of AEC

In response to the command and prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ that the Church may be one, the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) set up a Joint Task Force to explore the possibility of evolving one Asian Ecumenical Body to express and to work for the unity in Christ in Asia.

Full and visible unity of the Church is God’s will for all. Particularly in Asia, a continent full of a variety of faiths, cultures, and ethnic groups, the visible expression of unity in Christ will also provide a powerful Symbol of hope for the emergence of the One New Humanity. We affirm this faith wholeheartedly and call upon all Christians of Asia to be firmly committed to this vision.

The Report from the Hua Hin consultation made the following proposals:

This Joint Task Force met along with some consultants in Hua Hin, Thailand, 20-24 September, 1993. A Joint Pastoral Letter by the Secretary of FABC, the Most Rec. Oscar V. Cruz and the General Secretary of CCA, The Rt Rev John V. Samuel to all respective constituencies of the FABC and CCA. A copy is attached.

Proposal:

As a step in the evolving process towards a fuller expression of Christian Unity in Asia, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that the FABC and CCA establish the Asian Ecumenical Committee with the following functions:

• To share information on matters pertaining to Church life, unity and ecumenical relations.
• To identify, promote and supervise joint programmes and to establish joint programmes committes to implement them.
• To help foster ecumenical relations at the national and local levels.

Recommendations:

It is suggested that initially the Asian Ecumenical Committee (AEC) create joint programme committees.

• To carry out work also done by already existing FABC offices and CCA programmes eg;
• • Joint Programme Committtee on Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs
  • Joint Programme Committee on Human Resource Development and services
  • Joint Programme Committee on Theological Formation and Ecumenical Formation
• To establish new Joint Programme Committees, e.g.
• • Education
  • Health Services
  • Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
• A conscientisation programme to be undertaken to encourage the Churches at national and local levels to enter into this new ecumenical venture.
• A Consultation of Catholic Bishops’ Conferences regarding participation in National Councils of Churches be convened by the FABC with the participation of the CCA.
• It is envisaged that for all joint programmes each body should provide personnel for the joint work and other resources, as may be required wholeheartedly.

For More Information Contact:

Asian Ecumenical Committee
96, 2nd District, Pak Tin Village, Mei Tin Road, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2691 1068
FAX: 852-2692 4378 / 3805
Internet: cca@hk.super.net or interrel@sjcuria.org

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Last modified: April 13, 1998