Reflection for Good Friday and Easter by NCCI General Secretary

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easterThe Gospel according to John presents to us several images about the death of Jesus. One of them is the expression, “being lifted up.” In John 3:14-15 Jesus says, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” In fact Jesus repeats this thought two more times in the gospel according to John: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am he, and that I do nothing of my own, but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.”(John 8: 28); “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself.”(John 12:32).

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For Dalits, Tribals and Adivasis, Easter is an opportunity to revive their hope in a new heaven and new earth….

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For Dalits, Tribals and Adivasis in India:

Easter is…

An opportunity to revive their hope in a new heaven and new earth….
A time to see the curtain of division and discrimination tore apart….
An attempt of re-formation of human relations as Mother Mary and John had at the cross….
A reminder of the need of endurance and persistence to counter casteism….
An indicator that the possible and certain persecutions they have to undergo….
And a pointer to the fact that if they do not shout aloud, the stones will shout….

Let us have an Easter of resistance to casteism!

Let us celebrate Easter in solidarity with Dalit, Tribals and Adivasis!

Rev. Sunil Raj Philip,
Executive Secretary, Commission on Dalits,
Executive Secretary- in- charge, Commission on Tribals & Adivasis,
National Council of Churches in India.
revsunilrajphilip@gmail.com
Cell: +91 8275045182Painting by REV JOHN PRADEEP, who is currently serving as pastor in Telengana, after finishing his theological studies in the United Theological College in Bangalore.

His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch passed away

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his is the official letter from the locum tenens of the patriarchal see of the Assyrian Church of the East regarding the demise of the late His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch, who fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, March 26, 2015.


OFFICE OF THE LOCUM TENENS OF THE PATRIARCHAL SEE

In the Name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit; One God forever, Amen.
On Thursday morning at 10:04 am, March 26 2015, His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos-Patriarch of the apostolic see of Seluecia-Ctesiphon and supreme head of the Assyrian Church of the East fell asleep in the hope of the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Apostolic Assyrian Catholic Church of the East prays for the eternal repose of the Patriarch that led her for almost 39 years as a good shepherd and heavenly example of the Christian virtues of humility and Christ-like compassion. Among the Holy Synod he was truly the Peter of our time, the Paul of our era, and the Timothy of our age, the chosen of the Apostles.
Born Khananya d’Bet Mardinkha in Darbandokeh, Harir, Iraq on September 15, 1935, he was formed and educated by the venerated Mar Yosip Khnanisho, the Metropolitan of Shamizden and Patriarchal Vicar. Ordained to the deaconate by Mar Yosip Khnanisho in 1947, His Holiness served as priest since July 15, 1957, later being consecrated bishop in Iran on February 12, 1962 by the late His Holiness Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, Catholicos- Patriarch. He served as bishop for 14 years, until his election as Catholicos-Patriarch October 17, 1976. As head of the Holy Synod of the Church of the East, His Holiness lead a multi-ethnic Church of Assyrian as well as Indian dioceses as one united Church of the peoples of the East. As the leader and first voice of the Assyrian People, he led and blessed this nation by preserving the fountain of our heritage in the most trying of times.
The viewing of the body of the late Patriarch will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at St. Andrew’s church in Glenview, Illinois, beginning at 9:00 am. The funeral liturgy and rite of burial for the Chief Shepherd of the Church of the East will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 10:00 at the cathedral church of St. George the Great Martyr in Chicago, Illinois (USA).
We fraternally ask your solicitude and prayers during these last weeks of Holy and Great Lent in remembering the head of the heads of Christ’s Church in the East, and praying for the repose in Christ’s promise for His Holiness Maran Mar Dinkha IV. We further request your prayers for the Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church of the East as we gather to assume the awesome task of prayer, fasting, and deliberation so that the Holy Spirit may raise up a worthy successor to the throne of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Selucia-Ctesphion and Patriarch of All the East.

By Grace,

SD/-

Mar Aprem
Metropolitan of India
Locum Tenens of the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East.

Given this 26th day of March, 2015 at Chicago, Illinois (USA).

Locum Tenens Official Notice of Demise

Source: Letter from Bishop Mar Awa Royel, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church of the East.

‘FOLLOW JESUS’ – ‘DONATE BLOOD’ – ‘GIVE LIFE’

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COMMISSION ON JUSTICE, PEACE AND CREATION

NAGPUR YOUTH FOR CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT IN ACTION  – NYCCiA

Blood Donation 1    The NCCI –  Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation’s programme ‘Youth for Justice’  turned  as Nagpur Youth For Christian Commitment In Action  – NYCCiA.

    The NYCCiA is an Ecumenical Expression of  all the Nagpur Young Christians who have  decided to ‘do gospel’ rather just preaching of the same alone.

As to make the Christian worship a relevant and meaningful, this year NYCCiA has decided  to observe the ‘Good Friday’ a meaningful and relevant considering the following:

  • “The foundation of Christian faith:  the ‘Blood of Jesus’ gives life to each and every       creature“.
  • “God in Jesus offered His own life (Blood) is our Christian faith affirmation of love”.

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Karnataka Christian Council’s new Executive Committee formed. Commits to counter fundamentalism.

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Bangalore, March 26, 2015.

The General Body of the Karnataka Christian Council (KaCC) met on March 26, 2015 at the Unity Building, Bangalore. KaCC  has been significant for many important decisions including unanimously being committed to working  with all Churches against religious fundamentalism and fanaticism.  Rt. Rev. Ravikumar Niranjan, CSI Bishop for Karnataka Northern Diocese chaired the meeting. Rev. Dr. Hubert Watson, the Secretary of the Council presented the activity report. Members representing Churches and institutions from all over Karnataka participated in the meeting and elected new office bearers and Executive Committee Members.

This is the newly elected executive committee of KaCC for the next three years:
Rt. Rev. Mohan Manoraj (CSI Bishop of Karnataka Southern Diocese) unanimously elected as the President of the council; Rev. Dr. N. Jayawant(Methodist Church in India, Bangalore Regional Conference) as the Vice-President ; Rev. Dr. Hubert Watson (Karnataka Theological College) as Secretary; Mr. G D Pushparaj (the Executive Secretary of the CSITA – Karnataka Inter-Diocesan Administrative, Finance and Property Board) as Treasurer.
As part of the General Body Rev. R. Christopher Rajkumar, Executive Secretary, Commission of Justice, Peace and Creation and Commission on Unity, Mission and Evangelism, presented a paper on ‘The Challenges before the Karnataka Christians / Churches Today, and the need for Grassroots Ecumenism’. He said:…considering the political context and rise of fundamentalism, the Karnataka Christians and Churches are some of the most vulnerable communities in India that are encountering constant attacks on Churches, Christian Workers and Christian institutions. Therefore the Churches and Christians in Karnataka must be united for common witness and service. In keeping with the call of the NCCI Centenary findings, the Council should be involved in facilitating the grassroots ecumenical expressions to combat Hindutva strategies of ‘moral policing’, ‘ghar wapsi’ and ‘hate campaign’ based on caste and religions.
After a detailed discussion, the Council has called all the member Churches to get united and organized for a strong common witness. Considering the importance and urgent need of the hour, all the member churches of KaCC mandated the council to launch a campaign against religious fundamentalism.
NCCI Communications

Peace Rally In Nagpur Against Atrocities On Christians

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Peace Rally In Nagpur Against Atrocities  On Christians
201527031632

The Hitavada | Nagpur | March 27, 2015


Christians of Nagpur took the street on Tuesday, solidly standing by each other as they protested against the atrocities being meted out against their community, specially in the recent past.

They culminated their protest march by submitting a memorandum of their recommendations to the government of India through Deputy Collector, Nagpur.
Among the recommendations include: urgent and effective action to restore rule of law to curb targeted and communal violence; insulation of government controlled educational institutions, syllabus and curriculum from political intervention and thesis of religious nationalism; enhance allocations  to strengthen poorer sections of religious minorities, to ensure their participation in public life; and to ensure adequate representation of religious minorities in the police, administrative and judicial services at all levels.

Easter Prayer for Reconciliation and Reunification of North and South Korea

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ncck

70 years since the joys of incomplete independence were reduced to the pains of separation
On this morning when we reminisce of the jubilance of resurrection
The voice of forgiveness and reconciliation resonates in our hearts

70 years, but still a broken culture rages among us
In the face of the rule of the dead powers of the militaryindustry
We repent for our feeble faith that confessed words instead of actions

We see ourselves frightened to meet even before considering forgiveness
Such is rooted in our distrust
We confess that no love and faith for each other had ever existed

No blame was put upon the crowd that cried for the cross
Following Jesus who has revealed the path of salvation through forgiveness,
After 70 years of separation, we pray that the fire of forgiveness and reconciliation kindle in every
nation of the world
Lord, lead our way

Before we fault others,
Help us purify ourselves, as we are filled with hate, anger and violence
Grant us the inner courage to reflect back on our true past
Face the hidden truth
And reunite with those who suffered unrighteous death
Give our weak selves the Holy Spirit
Let us not give up on our pursuit for forgiveness, reconciliation and unification
Amidst the despairs of death, you have shown us great hope through resurrection
Bring the new life of resurrection to this dying land

In the same way that Jacob, after crossing the Yabok River embraced Esauand danced,
Armed with forgiveness, let us cross the river of hate and enmity to unite, North and South
Wash away the agonies of separation
To give our sons and daughters one, living nation

We believe that the road of this journey would save people and give hope to mankind
In the name of Jesus Christ who never ceases to call
Into the world of resurrection,
We pray sincerely, Amen.

National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) 

Korean Christian Federation (KCF)

World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary’s letter expressing solidarity and support for the Churches in India

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16 March 2015

Rev. Dr Roger Gaikwad

General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India
Christian Council Campus
Civil Lines Nagpur – 440001
Maharashtra State
India

Dear Dr Gaikwad,
I am writing this to express solidarity and support for the churches in India in the context of increasing acts of violence and vandalism targeting the Christian community in India. I was deeply disturbed to hear of one more act of vandalism on a church in Hisar district of Haryana state on Sunday, 15 March 2015, and of the gang rape of a septuagenarian nun in the Convent of Jesus and Mary High School in Ranaghat town of West Bengal state a few days earlier. These attacks and atrocities are understood as part of a wider pattern of repression against minority communities and their fundamental right to practise and profess a religion of their choice. In this regard, the recent rise in attacks on Christians and Christian institutions poses a deep threat to the secular and pluralistic social fabric of India where various religious communities have thrived and lived harmoniously through the ages.
The World Council of Churches condemns any act of violence or violation which targets people and places on the basis of their religious identity, and upholds the sanctity and dignity of all life and the universal right to religious freedom. I am aware of and support the NCCI’s letter dated 2 December 2014, addressed to the Honourable Prime Minister of India urging the government to “bring in suitable measures to cultivate a culture of democratic secularism”. The World Council of Churches joins the churches in India in urging the Indian government to take appropriate and urgent measures to prevent further violation of human dignity or violence against the Christian community in India, which has long been engaged in selfless service to the people of India across the boundaries of caste, ethnicity and religion.

Statement of the National United Christian Forum (NUCF)

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Issued at the National Consultation on “Upholding Constitutional Rights of Minorities, with Special Reference to Christians”

This meeting of the leadership of the Church in India takes place in a moment of global crisis in which people of faith are facing mass violence, even extermination in the Middle-East at the hands of religious fanatics. We offer our prayers for and stand in solidarity with the Christian communities in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and neighboring countries. The situation in those parts of the world once again brings home to us the dangers of religious intolerance.

We, therefore, rejoice in India’s ancient and rich diversity of cultures, languages, religions and ethnicities. We celebrate the Constitution of India and the strength of its institutions. Our deep love for and commitment to our country and our fellow citizens lends urgency to our reflection on the challenges that we face as a nation.

The cultural DNA of India of pluralism and diversity is being threatened. We are anxious about the implications of the fundamentalist political thesis that India is “one nation, one people and one culture”. A nation of cultural homogeneity is an impossibility and any effort to impose it is fraught with grave ramifications for country.

The Church in India asserts its stake in the country’s development. As citizens and followers of Christ, we have contributed to and continue to work for social development in all spheres of national life. We are committed to protecting the dignity of the human being in this great nation. We participate in this endeavor with other religious and social communities, civil society and all people of good will.

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NCCI Stands with the Grieving and Suffering Bomb attack Victims in Pakistan

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pakistan-articleLargeNagpur, March 16, 2015: The National Council of Churches in India expresses its deep shock and painful concern over the continuous attack on innocent public, including Christians, in Pakistan.
As reported by the Media at least 70 people were injured and 15 lost their lives to these inhuman assassinations yesterday ( 15 March 2015) in a Catholic Church and the Christ Church in Youhanabad near Lahore City, where Christians have lived together for years in amity and peace.
The NCCI considers these assaults not merely as attacks on public and innocent citizens of Pakistan, but rather as intentional attacks on ‘Pakistan’ itself’.