The Church can remain one in faith despite the vast diversity, affirm Asian church and ecumenical leaders
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A solemn ecumenical worship service on 24 October 2024 marked the opening of the Tenth Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS-X) and the commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, organised by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA). Held at the historic Zion Cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia, the event brought together a galaxy of theologians, church and ecumenical leaders from across Asia.
Benedictory and felicitation addresses delivered on the occasion reflected the voices of diverse Christian traditions across Asia, reaffirming the unity expressed in the Nicene Creed. Each distinguished speaker underscored the ecumenical significance of this historical creed and its role in uniting Christian communities across cultures, languages, and traditions.
Benedictory addresses were offered by four prominent church and ecumenical leaders in Asia: His Holiness Dr Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, His Beatitude Dr Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan, Supreme Head of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Rt Rev. Dr Timothy Chi-Pei Kwok of the Anglican Church in Hong Kong, and Bishop Park Jung Min of the Korean Methodist Church.
His Holiness Dr Baselios Marthoma Mathews III highlighted the ecumenical potential of the Nicene Creed, rooted in its power to unite Christians across traditions. "The Nicene Creed is not merely a doctrinal document; it is a profound expression of unity we find in the triune God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," stated the esteemed Catholicos. Addressing the hundreds of diverse guests in attendance, he reiterated that "the creed reminds us that our shared faith is deeper and more enduring than the theological, cultural, or historical differences that might divide us."
His Beatitude Dr Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan stated that the Council of Nicaea had a significant bearing upon the unity of the universal Church, as its creed has continued to be recited as a confession of faith by different Christian traditions and confessional families across the globe. The creed’s articulation of Trinitarian faith, the Nicene Council’s most enduring legacy, affirms the full divinity of Christ, co-equal with the Father, and the unity of the Godhead. “The Council of Nicaea became a symbol of the Church's efforts to maintain ecclesial unity despite theological disputes and represents the Church's universal identity. This creed unifies Christians around faith in the Triune God, embodying the Church’s commitment to ecclesial unity amidst theological diversity”, stated the Metropolitan.
Rt Rev. Dr Timothy Chi-Pei Kwok from the Anglican Church in Hong Kong brought a message of unity and diversity, describing the Nicene Creed as “a powerful reminder of our unity in Christ.” He expressed hope that this time of reflection and discussion would deepen mutual bonds, inspire fresh insights, and strengthen the Church’s witness in the world. He urged attendees to view diversity as a strength, where the Church's faith found a fuller expression.
Bishop Park Jung Min from the Korean Methodist Church focused on the unity fostered over the last 1,700 years, reminding the gathering that “the Church is one in Jesus Christ.” His words underscored the timeless unity that the Nicene Creed calls Christians to embrace across generations and cultures.
Messages of felicitation and greetings were offered by church and ecumenical leaders in Malaysia representing Council of Churches of Malaysia, host churches, and other ecumenical bodies.
Very Rev. Philip Thomas Cor Episcopa, President of both the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) and the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM), recalled the inaugural General Assembly of the CCA held in Kuala Lumpur in 1959. He equated the Nicene Creed to the rudder of a ship, stating, “Whether as a creedal formula or part of the worship of theological discourse, it remains a very strong rudder that keeps the ship going in the right direction.” He also bestowed valuable insight into one of the great challenges facing the Church: the rapid growth of denominations. He reminded the gathering that the spirit in which the Council gathered in AD 325 at Nicaea stemmed from a passion to keep one Church united, but today that number has grown to hundreds of thousands. In this context, he emphasised the importance of unity in diversity as an expression of God’s creation.
Pr Sam Ang, Secretary-General of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) Malaysia, emphasised the importance of remaining true to the Bible, urging the Church to stand united and focus on its calling as a beacon of light in the world.
Bishop Steven Lawrence of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Malaysia and highlighted the importance of coming together not only in times of hardship but also in moments of worship and fellowship.
The felicitations concluded with Rev. Philip Lok, General Secretary of CCM, welcoming CATS-X to Kuala Lumpur. He expressed his hope that the Holy Spirit would deepen the unity in Christ as the commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea continues. His wish for a fruitful and inspiring conference encapsulated the shared hope of all present that this gathering would fortify the commitment to unity, guided by the legacy of the Nicene Creed.
Together, the benedictory addresses and messages of felicitation delivered by speakers from different church and ecumenical traditions painted a picture of the Church’s ongoing journey towards unity, inspired by the enduring truths of the Nicene Creed. Their words underscored a shared hope that, despite the vast diversity within Christianity, the Church can remain one in its mission and faith.