wfn.org | ACNS3584 Anglican Network for Inter Faith Concerns holds key

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3584     |     COMMUNIQUI	   |	 19 SEPTEMBER 2003 

Anglican Network for Inter Faith Concerns holds key meeting in South India

With the title Inter Faith Integrity and Christian Witness NIFCON (the
Network for Inter Faith Concerns of the Anglican Communion) held its first
regional consultation at the United Theological College, Bangalore, India, 30
August - 4 September 2003. A key purpose of the consultation was to explore
the interface between inter faith concerns and mission and evangelism issues
- particularly as they affect the life of the Anglican Communion and United
Churches associated with the Communion.

At the beginning of the consultation participants coming from 14 countries in
Asia and beyond, were challenged by words of greeting presented on behalf of
the Archbishop of Canterbury by Canon David Marshall. They were reminded that
'We (members of the Christian church) are motivated by a humble confidence
that if the Gospel is true it will indeed transform all human enterprise. But
such transformation is only possible if we engage as fully and patiently as
we can with the reality of the experience of other faiths. We cannot know in
advance exactly how the gospel transformation is to come about, but it will
be in honest and practical witness to the forgiveness, reconciliation and
inclusion at the heart of the Gospel of Christ that our understanding will
begin to grow.'

Two keynote addresses were offered - the first by Father Michael Amaladoss
SJ, an internationally renowned Catholic scholar of mission and inter faith
issues. Father Amaladoss' address entitled 'An integral Vision of Mission for
a New Millennium' provided a lucid survey of contemporary Catholic theology
of mission and dialogue, which drew attention to the two different horizons
against which Christians are called: the universal goal of the Kingdom, and
the specific goal of the Church. The second address by the Revd Dr
Sathianathan Clarke (Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at United
Theological College) focused on 'Being Church in India Today'. Dr Clarke
spoke of the Church's mission to reclaim local neighbourhoods from
intolerant, aggressive and divisive attitudes. To symbolise this vocation he
used three textile pictures from the New Testament: the Church as patch,
mending tears in ruptured communities; the Church as fringe, reaching out to
the excluded and margina!
lized; and the Church as garment, quilting social life together in a harmony
made out of diversity.

The geographical context of the meeting was very important. The consultation
was concerned to hear about situations of inter religious tension in India -
particularly in Gujarat, and reflected on the most appropriate response that
it as a consultation, and the wider Anglican Communion, could offer.

Space was also available for participants in the consultation from outside
India to share insights on inter faith issues based on their own regional
experience - resonating them against the Indian context in which we were
situated. A series of Bible studies invited participants to extend and deepen
their understanding of the biblical basis for mission and inter faith
involvement - though once again seeking to do so in a way that was
contextually appropriate. Many participants also commented on the prayerful
focus that permeated the meeting - and the blessing of generous hospitality
which was offered by local Christians in Bangalore.

Key issues to emerge from the consultation included:

- The importance, particularly at the present time, of the Anglican Communion
developing its Network for Inter Faith Concerns 
- The importance of those involved in inter faith work taking seriously the
need for advocacy on behalf of those suffering religious persecution or
harassment 
- The value of finding ways for those involved in inter faith issues to
emerge in intra-Christian dialogue with others eg those working with mission
and evangelism concerns. 
- The affirmation that 'dialogue' can and must take a variety of forms. As
well as the four often quoted (life, social action, intellectual, and
worship) we identified the importance of dialogue linked to artistic and
cultural expressions. 

Clare Amos
Coordinator, NIFCON

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