Christian Conference of Asia Gathers, Theme of "Building Communities of Peace for All"

April 14, 2005

Source: Sightings

http://marty-center.uchicago.edu/sightings/archive_2005/0414.shtml

On April 14, 2005 Sightings reported, "With a theme of 'Building Communities of Peace for All,' the Christian Conference of Asia held its twelfth general assembly in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from March 31 to April 6...They were joined by an equal number of representatives of the World Council, other regional councils, and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, as well as ecumenical partners from several European and North American churches and observers. Young people from numerous member churches served as stewards. Christian growth is now focused in areas outside North America and Europe, with Asian Christianity assuming an ever more important role in the life of the contemporary church...Ethnic and linguistic differences add to the diversity represented by this regional conference and to the difficulties Asian Christians face in their ecumenical endeavors. In many of the nations whose churches were represented at the assembly, Christians are regarded with hostility and labor under significant restrictions. Yet the mood of the assembly was positive, as delegates celebrated their unity in Christ and struggled to define their role in building communities of peace for all."