Asian Theologians’ Summit CATS-X focuses on ‘Echoes of Nicaea: Enduring Faith and Embracing Unity - Asian Ecumenical Response’

Programme Review and Programme Direction

Two key deliberative sessions during the 15th CCA General Assembly are the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions.

The Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions will both be conducted in three groups relating to the CCA’s programme areas, namely, (i) General Secretariat (GS), (ii) Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF); and (iii) Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia (PD).

Assembly participants will have the option to join one of three groups for both the Programme Review and Programme Direction sessions. For the sake of coherence, the assigned group will remain the same for both sessions.

General Secretariat

The General Secretariat oversees the coordination of programmatic, administrative, and financial activities of the organization. The GS comprises various departments such as church and ecumenical relations, relations with ecumenical partners, finance, administration, and communications, which provide crucial support and services for the implementation of programs and contribute to the overall functioning of the CCA.

Programmes: Relations with member churches and councils, ecumenical partners; advocacy at the United Nations; ecumenical responses to emerging issues in solidarity; income development and finance; and communications.

Mission in Unity and Contextual Theology (MU) and Ecumenical Leadership Formation and Spirituality (EF)

Under the MU programme area, the CCA accompanies Asian churches to strengthen their mission and witness in multi-religious contexts, revitalise and nurture church unity and the Asian ecumenical movement, and develop contextual theological foundations.

Programmes: Asian Movement for Christian Unity (AMCU); Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS); Asian women doing theology in the context of wider ecumenism; contextualisation of theology in Asia and ecumenical theological education.

The EF programme area focuses on nurturing and developing ecumenical leaders in Asia. The programme aims to enhance spiritual formation and theological understanding, enabling people to actively engage in ecumenical dialogue and collaboration.

Programmes: Ecumenical Enablers’ Training in Asia (EETA); Asian Ecumenical Institute (AEI); Youth and Women Leadership Development; Ecumenical Spirituality and Nurturing of Contextual Liturgical Traditions; Asia Sunday

Building Peace and Moving Beyond Conflicts (BP) and Prophetic Diakonia and Advocacy (PD)

The BP programme area is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, and reconciliation in Asia’s diverse contexts. Through training, advocacy, and dialogue, the programme addresses the root causes of conflicts, empowers communities, and fosters sustainable peacebuilding initiatives.

Programmes: Pastoral Solidarity Visits; Churches in Action for Moving Beyond Conflict and Resolution; Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia (YAPA); Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV); Eco-Justice for Sustainable Peace in the Oikos.

The PD programme area focuses on promoting justice, human rights, and social transformation in Asia. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and raising awareness, the programme addresses systemic injustice, empowers marginalised communities, and advocates for prophetic actions and meaningful change.

Programmes: Human Rights advocacy; Migration, Statelessness, and Trafficking in Persons; Asian Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network; Asian Advocacy Network on the Dignity and Rights of Children (AANDRoC); Ecumenical Solidarity Accompaniment and Diakonia in Asia (ESADA); Health and Healing; Good Governance; Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia (ATCHAA).

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26 May 2024

 

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Tenth Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS - X) will focus on the theme ‘Echoes of Nicaea: Enduring Faith and Embracing Unity - Asian Ecumenical Response.’

Applications are now invited from those who are interested to participate in the CATS-X, which is scheduled to take place from 24 to 29 October 2024 at the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The theme of CATS-X is developed in the context of the 1700-year anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea held in 325 A.D., where early church leaders gathered to affirm the unity and mutual recognition of diverse traditions within the one faith.

This CATS-X aims to reflect on the legacy of Nicaea from an Asian theological perspective, celebrating the rich traditions and shared witness of the faith.

Participants of the CATS-X will have a unique opportunity to deepen their faith and spiritual heritage, assess the relevance of the Nicaean Creed in the contemporary context, and engage in dialogue that promotes unity, peace, and harmony among all of God’s people and creation.

Since the first CATS was launched in 1997 by the Christian Conference of Asia, the gathering of the Asian theologians has been fostering innovative theological thinking among Asian theologians, including young and budding theologians from across Asia and the Asian theologians in the Diaspora.

The deadline for receiving applications will be 15 July 2024.

All applications will be accepted online via Google Form: CATS - 2024 Application Form

Click here to download Background Information: Background Information CATS-X

For more information and to submit application, please contact: [email protected]