National Council of Churches in India – Unity and Mission
and
Ecumenical Commission on Drought and Water Management (ECODAWM)
join
World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC – EAA) and
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)
in extending an Invitation to
All Churches, Christian Organisations and All Faith Communities to participate in the
Global Day of Prayer to End Famine (May 21, 2017).

To
The Church Leaders, Heads of the Institutions and
Leaders of all Faith Communities
Respected and Revered Church Leaders, Heads of the Institutions and All Faith Leaders,
Greetings of Peace!
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35).
Most of the Earth Communities including human communities of today face drought and famine, more than at any time in modern history. Famine has been declared in South Sudan. Somalia, Nigeria, and Yemen are on the brink of famine and drought, and some of the Indian States are facing a similar situation.
Globally, more than 20 million people are at risk of starvation, while millions more suffer from drought and food shortages. In this desperate situation children suffer most and become increasingly vulnerable. The UN is calling this the largest humanitarian crisis since 1945. There is great danger that on its current course, the global response to this crisis will be hugely inadequate and will lead to unimaginable suffering and death, which is eminently avoidable. Hence, Church as a community that cares for others, have a responsibility and prophetic role in calling to mobilizing their members, the wider society and governments, and making a difference during this unprecedented period of suffering.
At this juncture of crisis, the World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC – EAA) joins the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in inviting the entire global Christian faith communities and ecclesial confessions to participate in the ‘Global Day of Prayer to End Famine’ on the May 21st 2017. with a special focus on the African continent. Thousands of churches, church related organisations and faith communities and their net-works in hundreds of countries are joining this global campaign considering its timely importance and need.
As we all are aware, India is not free of such vulnerability. Agriculture is slowly dying. Everywhere we witness water scarcity and in some places hunger deaths. In many parts of India, farmers commit suicide due to unprecedented drought,
Therefore, the National Council of Churches in India (Unity and Mission), and Ecumenical Commission on Drought and Water Management join together in encouraging all Indian Churches to participate in the Global Day of Prayer to End Famine, and pray for India also along with offering prayers for Africa.
We sincerely request you to encourage all your local congregations and grass-root communities to join this prayer campaign on the 21st May 2017, to pray during our Sunday holy Masses, Worships and Services, beseeching God’s pardon for human sin against the earth communities and seeking God’s providential grace to end famine and give life.
Nations from the North, South, East and West are urged to embark on this Prayer Journey. It is a journey that is not about us, but about a world in desperate need of God’s compassionate love. It is a call to respond to God’s invitation in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. May God hear our prayers, forgive our sin and heal our land.
Come let us join the ‘Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace’ with faith and prayer that bring blessings to all the earth communities. May our collective repentance, prayer and timely intervention assure and ensure ‘zero hunger deaths’.
With kind regards and prayers,
Dr. William Stanley
ECODAWM |
Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar
NCCI – Unity and Mission |
Rt. Rev Dr. P C Singh
President – NCCI |
Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad
General Secretary – NCCI |
Note:
The WCC worship and prayer resources are available in https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/global-day-of-prayer-to-end-famine.
If you wish to share your experiences, please share with us at <mission@ncci1914.com>
Prominent Belgian Liberation Theologist Francois Houtart Dies
/23 Comments/in Other concerns /by Caesar DavidDubbed the “Pope of anti-globalization,” Houtart left a mark on discussions of religion and revolutionary social change in developing nations.
Belgian liberation theologist and sociologist Francois Houtart died Tuesday at the age of 92, leaving a powerful legacy through his decades of work theorizing globaliztion, alternatives to capitalism and religion from a Marxist perspective.
Houtart died in Quito, Ecuador, where he lived and worked at the Pueblo Indio Foundation and with several universities. Houtart was born in Brussels in 1925, became a Catholic priest in 1949 completed a doctorate in sociology at the University of Louvain.
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Appeal to observe AUGUST 10th as “Black Day”
/25 Comments/in General news, News from NCCI /by Dalit & Tribal/ Adivasi ConcernsJune 08, 2017
Greetings from NCCI- Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns!
National Council of Churches in India-Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns appeals to the Churches and Christian organisations to proactively participate in observing ‘Black Day’ on 10th August 2017 to raise our protest regarding the continual negligence of the government to the cry for the rights of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in the country.
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Green Epistle to the Indian Churches
/25 Comments/in General news, News from NCCI /by Christopher RajkumarGreen Epistle to the Indian Churches :
“Remember your Creator and Creation” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
on
World Environmental Day (June 5, 2017)
From time to time and as and when necessary Churches have been responding to Ecological Catastrophes through various ministerial and diaconal interventions. Rather than waiting to address such catastrophes, it is imperative for Churches to deal with the context of climate change and the environmental crisis that destroy lives and threaten the future of earth communities, that are created by God almighty.
The summer this year has reached a decade high, resulting in drought in several parts of the county, while the monsoon season is expected to result in floods that would swallow agricultural fields. Such extreme weather conditions are not at all favourable to our country, but yet, we have to go through the experience of the same.
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NCCI Youth Concerns-SCMI organise three-days Youth Regional Programme
/25 Comments/in General news /by CommunicationsThirteen fervent students attended this programme. Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) inaugurated the three-days programme. He challenged the students by exposing the socio-economic realities of India and its politics, talked about India being the ‘youngest country’ in the coming years and relating it with the challenges of job opportunities, and reconstruction of India. The inaugural was followed by three important sessions. Mr. Rajesh Jadav, Coordinator of Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns (VCLC), talked about globalization and the development of industrialization and its impact (positive and negative), political corruption and caste system, youth power – the role of young people that are involved in industrialization as the agent of change, and the realities of MNCs (Multinational Corporations) exploitation of labour and land. Mr. Moses Gaur, Programme Coordinator of Evangelical Social Action Forum (ESAF) talked about personal development in the fast growing world, leadership development and socio-political influences among the working class especially among the youth. Ms. Moumita Biswas, Executive Secretary of Women Concerns, NCCI talked about gender justice and equality, discrimination of sex and gender in various social environments–families, society, religion and politics, sexual function and its social stigmas.
LWSIT observes “Day of Prayer to End Famine”
/25 Comments/in General news, News from Constituent Members /by CommunicationsIn response to the call given by World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC – EAA) and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) to observe May 21, 2017 as a Global Day of Prayer to End Famine, the Lutheran World Service India Trust, which is a member of the National Council of Churches in India, observed the same at its National Office in Kolkata.
Download the letter from LWSIT
Ministry of Women and Child Development is Updating About National Policy of Women’s Empowement
/22 Comments/in General news /by Moumita BiswasMrs Maneka Sanjay Gandhi – Union Cabinet Minister of Women and Child Development Ministry of Government of India
The Ministry of Women & Child Development in India has formulated a draft National Policy for Women. According to Mrs Maneka Sanjay Gandhi Honourable Indian Union Cabinet Minister of Women and Child Development Ministry “This transformative policy will address the needs of women in the New India and also guide the functioning of the Government in decades to come. For the last two years, the Ministry of Women & Child Development has been actively engaged with various stakeholders in formulating a National Policy For Women.” Mrs Maneka Sanjay Gandhi requests concerned citizens to share new ideas for women’s safety and empowerment and participate in developing this policy for women.
Women’s Concern’s Ministry of the National Council of Churches in India invites member Churches, Church leaders, Christian organizations and institutions to respond to Mrs Maneka Sanjay Gandhi’s request and contribute ideas to the policy for transformative change.
Promoting rights to life and dignity of women and children , women’s empowerment and empowering churches to engage in advocacy to end gender based violence is one of the priority mission foci of the National Council of Churches in India
Suggestions can be sent on Twitter and on the Facebook page of the Ministry. (Pleaseadd#NationalPolicy4Women on all your suggestions.)
Click on the Link for draft national policy for women 2016_0
An Ecumenical Call to join and Pray – “Global Day of Prayer to End Famine”
/25 Comments/in General news, News from NCCI, Worship /by Christopher RajkumarNational Council of Churches in India – Unity and Mission
and
Ecumenical Commission on Drought and Water Management (ECODAWM)
join
World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC – EAA) and
All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)
in extending an Invitation to
All Churches, Christian Organisations and All Faith Communities to participate in the
Global Day of Prayer to End Famine (May 21, 2017).
To
The Church Leaders, Heads of the Institutions and
Leaders of all Faith Communities
Respected and Revered Church Leaders, Heads of the Institutions and All Faith Leaders,
Greetings of Peace!
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35).
Most of the Earth Communities including human communities of today face drought and famine, more than at any time in modern history. Famine has been declared in South Sudan. Somalia, Nigeria, and Yemen are on the brink of famine and drought, and some of the Indian States are facing a similar situation.
Globally, more than 20 million people are at risk of starvation, while millions more suffer from drought and food shortages. In this desperate situation children suffer most and become increasingly vulnerable. The UN is calling this the largest humanitarian crisis since 1945. There is great danger that on its current course, the global response to this crisis will be hugely inadequate and will lead to unimaginable suffering and death, which is eminently avoidable. Hence, Church as a community that cares for others, have a responsibility and prophetic role in calling to mobilizing their members, the wider society and governments, and making a difference during this unprecedented period of suffering.
At this juncture of crisis, the World Council of Churches – Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (WCC – EAA) joins the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in inviting the entire global Christian faith communities and ecclesial confessions to participate in the ‘Global Day of Prayer to End Famine’ on the May 21st 2017. with a special focus on the African continent. Thousands of churches, church related organisations and faith communities and their net-works in hundreds of countries are joining this global campaign considering its timely importance and need.
As we all are aware, India is not free of such vulnerability. Agriculture is slowly dying. Everywhere we witness water scarcity and in some places hunger deaths. In many parts of India, farmers commit suicide due to unprecedented drought,
Therefore, the National Council of Churches in India (Unity and Mission), and Ecumenical Commission on Drought and Water Management join together in encouraging all Indian Churches to participate in the Global Day of Prayer to End Famine, and pray for India also along with offering prayers for Africa.
We sincerely request you to encourage all your local congregations and grass-root communities to join this prayer campaign on the 21st May 2017, to pray during our Sunday holy Masses, Worships and Services, beseeching God’s pardon for human sin against the earth communities and seeking God’s providential grace to end famine and give life.
Nations from the North, South, East and West are urged to embark on this Prayer Journey. It is a journey that is not about us, but about a world in desperate need of God’s compassionate love. It is a call to respond to God’s invitation in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. May God hear our prayers, forgive our sin and heal our land.
Come let us join the ‘Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace’ with faith and prayer that bring blessings to all the earth communities. May our collective repentance, prayer and timely intervention assure and ensure ‘zero hunger deaths’.
With kind regards and prayers,
ECODAWM
NCCI – Unity and Mission
President – NCCI
General Secretary – NCCI
Note:
The WCC worship and prayer resources are available in https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/events/global-day-of-prayer-to-end-famine.
If you wish to share your experiences, please share with us at <mission@ncci1914.com>
India at UPR UN meet on May 4, 2017
/22 Comments/in General news, Other concerns /by Caesar DavidPhoto Credit: ndtv.com
Minority rights, NGO crackdown raised at UN meet, India says freedoms secure
Concept of torture alien to our culture: Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi
From complaints of eroding minority rights and religious intolerance to the crackdown against NGOs, women’s rights to LGBT rights, Kashmir to Afrophobia — India’s track record on human rights came under sharp scrutiny at the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday in Geneva.
Several countries expressed concerns on India’s FCRA laws, incidents of religious intolerance, women’s rights and even racism. The Kashmir issue was also raised by Pakistan during the hearing of the third “Universal Periodic Review.” India has undergone this voluntary review twice before, in 2008 and 2012.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who presented India’s position, strongly denied the allegations. “The right to fair trial and free legal aid up to the highest court are enshrined as fundamental rights in the Constitution of India and thus guaranteed to all individuals. So much so that as the Attorney General of India, I was summoned by the Supreme Court at 2 in the morning to hear a last-ditch petition, after several rounds of litigation, by a convict who was guilty of terrorism to escape punishment (a reference to the Yakub Memon case). This shows the importance attached to upholding of human rights by India,” he told the UNHRC.
Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka backed India on its human rights record. But a group of countries, including the US, Australia, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway and Ireland, asked India to look at its FCRA laws with US saying that there is “complete lack of transparency” in the implementation which affects NGOs in India.
Germany, Vatican, Kazakhstan, Kenya, UK, South Korea and the Netherlands expressed concern over the issues of rights of religious minorities and intolerance.
Pakistan called for a stop to the use of pellet guns. India countered saying the situation in Kashmir is due to Pakistan’s actions and there is zero tolerance to terrorism.
Haiti raised the issue of “Afrophobia” which was denied by an Indian delegate who called the country a “land of Buddha” which did not have a racist mindset and said that these incidents were a case of local crime.
While Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Liechtenstein were among countries which raised concerns on women’s rights, Israel and Ireland raised the issue of equal rights for the LGBT community. Several countries asked India to ratify the convention against torture.
Leading the Indian delegation, Rohatgi said that India makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour or religion of a citizen. “India is a secular state with no state religion,” he said, adding that the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to every individual. He said the right to free speech and expression occupies its rightful place in the core of the Constitution.
“As the world’s largest multi-layered democracy, we fully recognise the importance of free speech and expression. Our people are conscious of their political freedoms and exercise their choices at every opportunity,” Rohatgi said. “We believe in peace, non-violence and upholding human dignity. As such, the concept of torture is completely alien to our culture and it has no place in the governance of the nation.”
On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Rohatgi said the Act is applied only to disturbed areas — few and in proximity to some international borders. Several countries, including the US, raised the issue of AFSPA. “Whether this Act should be repealed or not is a matter of on-going vibrant political debate in my country,” he said.
On transgenders, Rohatgi said that India has been at the forefront of recognising their equal rights. The Supreme Court gave a landmark judgement in 2014 directing the government to declare trans-genders a “third gender” and included them as an “Other Backward Class” entitled to affirmative action benefits.
The apex court also reinforced that trans-genders should have all rights under law, including marriage, adoption, divorce, succession and inheritance, Rohatgi added.
Rohatgi said India seeks to ensure inclusive development and the protection of rights of vulnerable groups and it has enacted a range of laws to address sexual assault and other gender-based crimes.
“We have overhauled the legal framework for dealing with child sexual assault,” he said, adding that India remains deeply committed towards reinforcing and accelerating efforts towards combating human trafficking.
Source: Indian Express (http://indianexpress.com/article/india/minority-rights-ngo-crackdown-raised-at-un-meet-india-says-freedoms-secure-4641197/) Written by Shubhajit Roy | New Delhi | Published:May 5, 2017 5:17 am
Read more on this at the following links:
Global Day of Prayer to End Famine on 21 May 2017
/23 Comments/in Other concerns /by Caesar DavidDear Friends,
We are requesting you as participating organisations of WCC-EAA, that each of your organisation is able to sign up and endorse the Global ‘Day of Prayer to End Famine’ on 21 May 2017 to be launched tomorrow. We are grateful to you if you have already endorsed it and agreed to be one of the organisations launching the call. The General Secretaries of WCC & AACC had send out a call last week. The letter is attached with this message- please see below for the link to register as partners in the campaign.
All this work is possible because of your committed guidance and support. We would very much want you register and back this Day of Prayer and to promote it among your partners and networks.
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MAY DAY CELEBRATION WITH THE MIGRANTS
/24 Comments/in General news, News from NCCI /by Dalit & Tribal/ Adivasi ConcernsMigrants form the largest part of India’s vast unorganised work sector. Their entry into the labour markets is marked with several endemic disadvantages. Devoid of critical skills, information and bargaining power, migrant workers often get caught in exploitative labour arrangements that force them to work in low-end, low-value, hazardous work. Lack of identity and legal protection accentuates this problem. The hardships of migrant workers are especially magnified when state boundaries are crossed and the distance between the “source” and “destination” increases. In India, thousands of people including men, women and children mostly Dalits and Adivasis, are forced to migrate from their homes to other places because of poverty, unemployment, limited economic activities, landlessness, global warming, environmental calamities, failure in agriculture due to uncertain monsoon and floods, deforestation, political persecution, poor medical care facilities in their native place, forced displacement due to so-called developmental work, and so on. Keeping these things in mind NCCI-Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns in partnership with Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns and Bahujan Rangbhoomi (street theatre group) celebrated May Day with more than 200 various labour migrants as well as locals from the Butibori and Hingna (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) MIDC area at Samvidhan Chowk (Constitution Square), Near Kasturchand Park, Nagpur on 1st May from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. This celebration was done through sharing of Experiences, Street Theatre performances, singing songs of Liberation and Expressions of social-workers.
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