Christian Conference of Asia Marks 60th Anniversary

Christian Conference of Asia marks 60 years. CCA

Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) marked its 60th anniversary on Oct. 22 in Yangon, Myanmar, with over 6,000 people, including 600 delegates attending the Thanksgiving Service and the Diamond Jubilee commemorative public meeting held at the Franc Auditorium of the Baptist Church.

Amid loss of lives and the sufferings of the victims of the latest violence in the country, the conference themed "Journeying Together: Prophetic Witness to the Truth and Light, in Asia," is very significant said Dr Mathews George Chunakara, general secretary, CCA.

The anniversary "is a benchmark on the road, a place to pause and to reflect, but not to stop. It is significant the theme begins with a description of the past that also points to the way forwards," said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary, World Council of Churches (WCC).

"CCA is a vibrant and living forum continuing cooperation among the churches and national Christian bodies in Asia, within the framework of the wider ecumenical movement. You are participating in the mission of God in Asia – and you are working for the benefit of the wider world," Tveit added, according to Vatican Radio.

The unrest at the shared border of Myanmar and Bangladesh has not ended.

With Pope Francis's visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh is due next month, Joyanta Adhikari, president of Bangladesh's National Council of Christians said he is expecting the pope to urge leaders of the two countries, and the world, to see both Buddhists and Muslims simply as human beings.

"We should look at those people as human beings. This is how we can live together in a peaceful manner. That is the message we expect from him; all the people, hands together, making this world a better place to live," said Adhikari.