A prayer for those who have died in Mindanao, and A call to continue to seek peace
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and the NCCP opens this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2015 through a liturgical breakfast fellowship, encouraging the faithful to tear down walls of hostilities that we create to ‘others’. An appreciation of our differences is encouraged. Further dialogue and openness to the others is imperative of our faith. Looking through the biblical texts in John 4, we are reminded that the wellspring of our faith comes from one true source, in which love expressed through acceptance and peace-building is necessary.
“Pope of the poor, we need justice. Stand with us.” That was the message of People’s Welcome Eastern Visayas”, an aggrupation of survivors of Yolanda and ecumenical community, including indigenous peoples. The message was shown on t-shirts around the city in Tacloban on the day Pope Francis visited the storm-battered city. And it was told during events prior to the visit.
Around the world, poor people bear the brunt of the effects of climate change, yet they are not the ones responsible for it.
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Reflections
A reflection translated from Bong Dalisay, former NCCP-ACT Alliance Field Staff assigned in Samar & Leyte for Yolanda Response, now, a Global Mission Fellow under the program of the United Methodist Church-General Board of Global Ministries.
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Prayer Invitation of Korea to WCC member Churches
In order to carry forward the spiritual accompaniment of the Korean peninsula and the churches of North and South Korea the WCC is invited to join the Christians of North and South Korea in a joint moment of prayer. Each year, the National Council of Churches in Korea and the Korean Christian Federation jointly prepare a Prayer for Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula. This prayer is used on the Sunday just before August 15 of each year, the day when Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial oppression, and ironically, the day when it was divided by external forces.
Joint Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula
God of Love!
It has been 25 years since we agreed to keep the week of Independence Day as a joint prayer week with the wish of reconciliation, and peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula. It was a promise from the South and North Korean churches’ deep prayer to God for peace and reunification and was a vow of love in a very difficult time. We, however, still have not reached full liberation and still are experiencing conflict and hostile policies. Oh Lord! Have mercy on us.
Publications
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
THE INTERSECTIONS OF MIGRATION, HUMAN RIGHTS & DEVELOPMENT JUSTICE
A RESOURCE BOOK OF CHURCHES WITNESSING WITH MIGRANTS
Edited by Liberato C. Bautista & Mervin Sol H. Toquero
Edited by Liberato C. Bautista & Mervin Sol H. Toquero
Price: Php. 300.00 each (or USD$ 15.00 price includes shipping and handling)
Purchase outside of the Philippines may be placed with the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, New York Office, 777 United Nations Plaza, Suite 8G, New York, NY 10017
For more information please contact: Tel. No. +632 929-3745 email: nccp_oga@yahoo.com
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WCC Stament Towards a Nuclear Free World
The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches met in a region where nuclear explosions, accidents and threats have taken a heavy toll. Northeast Asia is the only place on earth where nuclear weapons have been used in warfare. During the Cold War more than 1,000 nuclear bombs were tested in adjoining areas of the Pacific and Asia. Today all states in the region either possess nuclear weapons or depend on the US nuclear arsenal. The 100-plus nuclear power plants in East Asia and the many more planned are signs of economic prowess but also reminders of the Fukushima tragedy. South Korea has the highest geographic concentration of nuclear power plants in the world.
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