NCCI mourns the loss of the great leader Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
![Former president Abdul Kalam](http://ncci1914.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Former-president-Abdul-Kalam-300x170.jpg)
National Council of Churches in India organized a Young Theologians Conclave in partnership with the support from The Church of Finland and with help from promoters and partners from Church of Ireland and Church of England in Ecumenical Christian Centre, UTC, Bangalore from June 26-27, 2014.
The theme of the Programme was “Ecclesiology in Cyber Age”. The aim of the Programme succeeded by gathering Young Theologians who are techno savy and cyber oriented to come together to devise plans and ideas to respond to the changing definition of Church in the Cyber Age. The diverse Challenges that were faced by the young people were discussed, the threats posed by the Cyber age were brought to the fore and the action plans were devised to ensure that we respond so that the Church will become a relevant Church even with the growing challenges of the changing times. The various presentations have thrown light on the Cyber Age, Cyber space and the Cyber Church.
The Inaugural worship was led by the students from United Theological College, Bangalore. After this, Rev. Sweety Helen welcomed the gathering, and the inaugural session was led by Rev. Sunil Raj Phillip. The Programme was creatively inaugurated by all the participants after which Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad lit a virtual lamp. The inauguration encompassed the use of symbols such as Cross and various technologies available with the participants.
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India
Under the banner of Christi Asmita Manch, Pune, a protestant ecumenical group, a one-day seminar was organised on 9th May 2015 at Christ Seva Prem Ashram, Pune. Christ Seva Prem Ashram is a historical ashram where Mahatma Gandhi stayed for 10 days in the year 1932.
About 150 delegates from various protestant churches attended the seminar. The main theme of the seminar was “Response to the attacks of religious fanatics on the Christian community and its ministries”. The conference began with a worship service led by the Rt. Rev. Naresh Ambala. In the devotion he encouraged the participants to be prudent and wise like serpents and innocent like doves. The seminar was inaugurated by Hon. Bhai Vaidhya, an eminent socialist and former Home Minister of Maharashtra. In his inaugural address, citing examples of Chakravarti Ashok Samrat, Badshah Akbar and Shivaji Maharaj, he established that this nation has been always secular, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation. He said, historically this country was never a Hindu Rashtra. He cautioned the participants citing the example of Godhra massacre in Gujarat during then chief minister and present Prime Minister of India, Hon. Narendra Modi, and the growing influence of right-wing forces in the country
On the initiative taken by the NCCI Board of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (BOCOMA), Dr. Jetti T. Oliver, Chairman and Rev. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary, along with the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Mar Thoma Syrian Church, and Chairman, National Advisory Council (which has been constituted by the BOCOMA) a Round Table meeting was arranged at the Mar Thoma Centre, New Delhi in which leaders of the Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church (GELC) and the North West Gossner Evamgelical Lutheran Church (NWGELC) participated. Focussing on the theme, “Seeking the Reconciling Power of Jesus” the leaders of the GELC (The Most Rev. Johan Dang – Moderator; The Rt. Rev. J. M. Topno – Dy. Moderator; Mr. Eliazer Topno – General Secretary; Mr. Atal Irad Khess – Treasurer cum Finance Secretary; and Rev. Dr. Manmasih Ekka – Ecclesiastical Secretary and Principal, G. T. C.) and of the NWGELC (The Rt. Rev. Dular Lakra – Bishop; Mr. Albel Lakra – Chief Secretary; Mr. Pawal Xalxo – Chairman, G.B.; Rev. Dr. Jhakmak Neeraj Ekka – NDTC; and Rev. Rajiw Satish Toppo – Principal, NDTC) held talks, with the support of the NCCI leaders, on the need for the two churches to come together and the possible structure which they could adopt to express their togetherness. A second meeting will be held in Ranchi during August 17-19,2015 to take the discussion further.
Fr. Cedric Prakash, SJ of Ahmedabad who runs Prashant has written an insightful and practical piece on the rise of religious extremism and the responses we need to make. We are grateful to Dr. John Dayal for sharing the same with us. This is important for all Christians, in particular church leaders, pastors and evangelists.
– General Secretary, NCCI
“WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS…!!!”
-Fr. Cedric Prakash sj*
… Some “hot issues” in the context of the rise of religious extremism and what we are experiencing on the ground
This brief presentation is in two parts – their strategies and our possible responses:
THEIR STRATEGIES
Their strategies are multi-pronged, well thought of and with meticulous planning. They have been using some of these very effectively since their inception in the 1930s; these include:
-effective, simple, mass, vicious
-tell a lie a thousand times (Goebblesian)
-fuel myths / rumours (they can easily take you for a ride)
-indulge in half-truths / selectivity, manipulate facts and data
-all sections of society (particularly poor and unemployed) / also adivasis and dalits
-get them to do their “dirty tricks” with money, liquor, meat and false promises
-rope in middle class who can be lured by “achche din”
-a time-tested strategy by dictators and those who want to control others
-‘they’ are the problem
-not ‘you’ but ‘them’
-to provide lollipops (sponsor “pilgrimages” to the Holy Land)
-invite for a “dialogue”
-those attacks are just ‘aberrations’; a law and order problem
-we know that but we cannot control them
-don’t worry if there is any problem, just come to me; I am “OK”; (so vote for me)
-you provoked first eg. conversion / beef eating etc
-we have proof that your boys were throwing stones
-you are the problem
-we are sucked up into their agenda
-they set the terms and conditions
-we often play along
-we become defocused from our main work
-through attacks, burning, looting, raping
-vandalising / desecration
-scattering the flock
-propagate the “development” model / “tolerance for all”
-permit hate speeches / attacks
-introduce anti-minority and draconian legislations
-we are not “responsible” for what they do
-government and bureaucracy
-police and judiciary
-educational system / media
-allow them to do what they want
-flout laws, by pass rules and regulations
-use their planes and other facilities (institutionalize corruption)
-help them to take over the media
OUR RESPONSE
Our response therefore, has to be multi-dimensional: a non-reactionary one, appropriate and focussed – and as a citizen of the country; these could include:
(cfr. PRASHANT document “WE ALWAYS NEED TO BE PREPARED!” Oct. 2014)
CONCLUSION
We can no longer remain silent.
“All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world – is for the good people to do nothing” – Edmund Burke
We need to get our ACT TOGETHER NOW!
“WE ALWAYS NEED TO BE PREPARED!”
I PRAY
DO NOT “FIRE CRACKERS” nor use high decibel speakers – specially
after 10.00 pm (remember that many of our neighbours are little children or elderly persons and perhaps even sick)
(cfr. the Supreme Court rulings on these matters)
what does Jesus say about “praying?”
II DIALOGUE
III STUDY – DOCUMENT – WRITE
IV STAND UP FOR TRUTH, HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND PEACE
“Peace in society cannot be understood as pacification or the mere absence of violence resulting from the domination of one part of society over others. Nor does true peace act as a pretext for justifying a social structure which silences or appeases the poor, so that the more affluent can placidly support their lifestyle while others have to make do as they can. Demands involving the distribution of wealth, concern for the poor and human rights cannot be suppressed under the guise of creating a consensus on paper or a transient peace for a contented minority. The dignity of the human person and the common good rank higher than the comfort of those who refuse to renounce their privileges. When these values are threatened, a prophetic voice must be raised.” (Pope Francis in ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ # 218)
V KEEP OUR HOUSE IN ORDER
(THEY HIT US WHERE WE ARE VULNERABLE )
VI PRE-EMPT TROUBLE
VII ADDRESS THE “REALITY”
VIII BE VIGILANT
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty ! – Wendell Phillips
Remember that police/official interrogations in a police station and/ or our institution, must normally take place only during working hours, on working days. Police/Government officials should normally·NOT visit officially any institutions which house women between 1800 hrs to 0900 hrs.
IX COMMUNICATE
National Human Rights Commission,
Manav Adhikar Bhawan,
Block-C, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023
Tel. No. (011) 24651330 Fax No.(011) 24651329 email: covdnhrc@nic.in / ionhrc@nic.in
Website: www.nhrc.nic.in
Telegraphic address: HUMANRIGHTS
and / or to the
National Commission for Minorities (NCM) at :
National Commission for Minorities,
5th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003
Tel. No. (011) 24615583
Fax No. (011) 24693302, 24642645, 24698410
(Toll free Number 1800-110-088)
email: ro-ncm@nic.in <www.ncm.nic.in>
The killer earthquake that hit Nepal on the noon of April 25th, 2015 has devastated human lives and property. It is believed to have killed over 7,000 people and left more than 12,000 injured, and several thousand houses flattened. The apprehension is that the death toll may rise to 10,000. Further, it is estimated that about eight million people are severely affected in the Himalayan region by this devastating earthquake. Read more