Nagpur

The head of the global Anglican Communion, the 104th Bishop of Canterbury, and the first Archbishop of Canterbury since the English Reformation to be appointed from a position outside the Church of England, Most Reverend and Rt. Hon. Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams today on the 14th October 2010
participated in a conversation on the theme, ‘Mission Engagement in Ecumenical Setting’, with the ecumenical fraternity at the National Council of Churches in India, Nagpur.

Archbishop answered the contextual queries raised by the participants and brought in the relevance of ecumenism for our times. Archbishop was impressed about the query on ecumenical formation for youth in our society, and has warned all those engaged in the ministries of youth not to compete with the entertainment industry and has emphasized that faith communities should focus on the holistic formation of young people. In reply to another query regarding the ordination of gay and lesbian people, the Archbishop said that before getting clarity on performing marriages between active gay people, it is too early to speak on the ordination of priests and Bishops. To another question, he said that violence and terrorism can be countered by good religion. Archbishop answered several other written questions related to the impact of globalization, legislation on banning of burqas in France, terrorism and religion and several other existential realities. Indeed the Archbishop’s visit to NCCI was a historic one, for it has enhanced mutual solidarity and companionship between the Anglican Communion and the Indian Ecumenical movement, facilitated by the NCCI.

Earlier in the evening before the conversation, Archbishop planted an ‘ecumenical tree of justice’ in the green lush campus of NCCI. Rt. Rev. Dr. Taranath Sagar, President of NCCI welcomed and felicitated the Archbishop, his staff delegation and several other Bishops and Church leaders for the evening conversation. Rev. Dr. P.B.M. Basaiawmoit, the Vice President of NCCI introduced the NCCI Centenary to the guests and asked the Archbishop to release the centenary brochures. Rev. Asir Ebenezar, Officiating General Secretary of NCCI threw light on the Ecumenical Challenges in Mission today. Ms. Sushma Ramswami, and Mr. Angelious Michael, the Vice Presidents of NCCI did the honours on behalf of the NCCI. Most Rt. Rev. Dr. Purely Lyngdoh, Moderator of Church of North India, Rt. Rev. Dr. P.P. Marandi, Deputy Moderator of CNI, Rt. Rev. Samantha Roy, President of North Western Frontier Council of Churches, Rt. Rev. Dr. P.C. Singh, President of Madhya Pradesh Council of Churches, Rt. Rev. Naresh Ambala, President of All India Sunday School Association, Rev. Dr. Ashish Amos, General Secretary of ISPCK, friends from different faith affirmations, and several friends of ecumenical movements participated in the conversation. Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, the Principal of Aizwal Theological College closed with a prayer and pronounced the benediction. The participants further engaged in conversations over a cup of tea at the end.

NCCI- Secretariat

R. Christopher Rajkumar
Executive Secretary,
Commission on Justice, Peace and Creation,