Editorial

This special edition of CTC Bulletin carries some articulations shared at the ‘Consultation of Younger Theologians from the South on Interrogating and Redefining Power’. Held in Chiang Mai, Thailand on 23-28 February 2004, the consultation was jointly organized by the Christian Conference of Asia and the World Council of Churches, as part of the process of theological reflections on peace that accompanies the Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010). Hope S. Antone served as co-organizer from CCA, which also hosted the consultation, while Deenabandhu Manchala served as co-organizer from WCC.

There is a clear link between violence and power, whether at personal or larger levels of relationships. The consultation was specially called to bring together younger theologians and activists from the South – i.e., Africa, Asia, Pacific, Caribbean and Latin America – to give them space to articulate a new ecumenical vision and build a new ecumenical partnership among churches that are committed to the new vision. Drawing from their own contextual realities, they chose from the following list of topics for their theological reflections:

• Power in personal and interpersonal relationships and between humanity and ecology;
• Empowerment as an alternative to dominating power – e.g. gender, development, people’s movement perspectives, etc.
• Alternative spiritual resources and visions of power;
• Liberative ecumenism and theologies from below;
• Hegemonic and structural dimensions of power vis-à-vis people’s power or other alternatives;
• Biblical and theological as well as cultural reflections on power – deconstruction and reconstruction processes in the light of the contextual challenges.

The articulations are an interesting mix of attempts at re-reading scriptures, deconstructing and reconstructing theological positions, and critiquing current concepts and practices of power at different levels. The fact that the 25 participants come from different backgrounds and fields makes for a wide array of experiences, perspectives and reflections. This also makes for an interesting reading as theologians wrestle with traditional doctrines or teachings, some wanting to drop and replace them altogether and others wanting to keep and salvage them as much as possible. Some teach in theological institutions, work with the churches, or are doing graduate studies. Others are involved in working with or are concerned about people with special needs, women, gays and lesbians, labour sector, Dalit and ethnic minorities, student and people’s movements. Included in this edition is a contribution by one young Catholic educator, who was not a participant in the consultation but who wanted to share her reflection on power in relation to migrant workers.

Apart from the participants who came as resource persons in their own right, two resource persons served as consultants and provided inputs at the consultation. Carolyn Anonuevo, a Filipina senior researcher of the UNESCO Institute for Education, did a power point presentation on ‘unpacking power: from understanding to action’. She described power as complex, yet affecting our daily lives as FIRE – i.e. feared, ignored, revered or enlightened. She likened power to a candle in the dark – it generates light but like the lighted candle, it must be handled with care and tempered with wisdom and compassion. She pointed to shifts in the understanding of power – as something acquired (some have and others do not) or something relational, omnipresent and exercised continually in daily life. A certain kind of power is DEAF – i.e. domination, exploitation, authority and fear instilling. She listed the bases of power, which are changing through time: physical strength and weapons; control of natural and financial resources; position, influence and connections; knowledge and expertise; and gender. Power is full of contradictions for it can be repressive and productive; sovereign power can be replaced by disciplinary power, which is exercised by people on others and on themselves day to day. She therefore called for a shift – from possessing to exercising power; from selective to multiple locations and bases; from state power to personal power. This means practicing power to overcoming our own tendencies of ‘power over’, working towards more power within, engaging in more practices of power with, and redefining our bases of power.

Kim Yong Bock, director of the Advance Institute for the Study of Life in Korea gave a ‘biblical and theological perspective on power in the context of globalization’. Since his paper is available in full, it is also included in this edition.

This publication of CTC Bulletin is offered as a special contribution to the ongoing process of action and reflection in Asia especially as the mid-decade of the DOV takes a focus on Asia in 2005. In order to contribute towards the reflections on “Building Communities of Peace for All” – theme of the 12th CCA General Assembly as well as the DOV Focus on Asia – it is truly important to address the issue of power which is at the root of so much injustice but which also has the potential to bring about justice in Asia.

Hope S. Antone
Editor