Christian Perspectives

Confederation of Christian churches formed

The Inauguration, service of the confederation of Christian churches was held at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 last Sunday.

This confederation is a loose association without a constitution of who are currently members Churches of the National Christian Council (NCC) coming together to do together what we earlier did apart, in response to our Lord's prayer for unity and mission: " That they all may be one as we are one... that the world may believe...(John 17: 21) coming together in faith, hope, love, humility and courage - To work together, To understand each other, To share our resources better andTo witness unity in Christ in a divided nation.

What are its aims?

The member Churches of the CCC commit themselves to make a special effort to promote united activities in pastoral care, Evangelism, worship, prophetic witness etc and other common interests, both centrally and regionally.

How will the CCC function?

Heads of denominations with a clergy person and a lay person ( or their alternates) from each Church will meet once a month for prayer and for planning joint activities consistent with the above aims, as " The Council ".

It will be summoned by the Co-ordinator, presided over by the NCC Chairperson and attended by the NCC General Secretary. In this way overlap or duplication of activities between the CCC and NCC can be avoided. Similarly, clergy persons and lay person representatives (or alternates) in local areas / Districts will meet regularly for prayer and coordination of activities.

At any level there can be no binding decisions but agreements by consensus on practical matters. Any serious decisions will have to be ratified by each member Church - which will continue to function independently as at present.

The CCC will not be a legal body but a moral force promoting a spiritual Ecumenism in rich diversity, surrendered in humility to God, in courageous obedience to the Lord Jesus, leaving the ways and times to the directions of the Holy Spirit. A new lifestyle is envisaged both at the centre and locally.

How is it different to the NCC?

The Confederation intends to give a new approach and impetus to NCC activities in a more committed way both centrally and regionally. The regions will function independently from the central Council (except when directions come through each Head of Denomination) and the relationship between the Council and regions will heed to evolve with time.

Proposed new steps

A service of mutual recognition of ministries will be held in each Province for the Holy Spirit to deal in a unique way in this unique situation for each minister to function in the wider reconciled ministry of the CCC, like the way Paul and Barnabas were set apart for a new missionary enterprise (Acts 13: 2-3) This will enable ecumenical team ministries automatic sharing of pulpits and sacrament and lead to full communion between the Churches.

Basis

For Christ Jesus is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is the hostility between us that he might create in himself one new humanity, in place of the two, thus making peace and reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross. (Eph:2: 14-16)

Annual feast of St. Nicholas' Church, Bopitiya

Text and Pictures D.N.B. Kirihetti, Group correspondent, Pamunugama

St. Nicholas Church, Bopitiya will celebrate the annual festival of St. Nicholas on Sunday, December 7 with devotees from the parish and from other areas of the country. St. Nicholas is a famous Saint, popular for his character as Santa Claus during Christmas time both among Catholics and non Catholics especially for his devotion to children with distribution of presents during the festive season. Children dream and expect Santa Claus to visit their homes and distribute their Christmas presents. Parents foster this ancient family tradition and children believe in the annual visit of their generous Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas is also famous for his intervention before God, on behalf of married couples without children. Childless couples visit churches dedicated to this saint and make vows and plead for birth of a child. Bopitiya is a popular church of St. Nicholas and every Thursday is dedicated to this saint and the church is filled to capacity with devotees pleading and begging for their expected child to their families and for the welfare of their children.

St. Nicholas was born to a rich and influential parents in Patara, Lycia in Milan, Italy. From his boyhood, he dedicated himself to God and lived a pure and holy life. He avoided friends and spent long hours in churches engaged in prayer and meditation.

He observed fasting and abstinence from his young days was not influenced by the vast wealth and comfortable life provided by his family. His parents died when was still young and young Nicholas sold all his possessions inherited from his parents and distributed all his wealth to the poor and needy.

He was famous for his generosity. He looked out for the needy and generously helped them according to their need.

It is on record in his life story, that a nobleman who had been reduced to poverty had three daughters who had to be given in marriage.

He had no wealth and as a result there was the danger that his daughters might go astray.

Young Nicholas became aware of this sad situation and unknown to anyone, he secretly came to this particular house in the night and dropped three gold coins into the house through an open window and thus helped this desperate family.

Young Nicholas was leading a generous and saintly life. In later life he was elected as Bishop of Milan while he was still a layman. This was a unique event in his saintly life.

He faced bravely all threats from all quarters including the Roman Emperor and protected the interests of the church. After a memorable and a saintly life, Bishop Nicholas died a holy death on 6th December 347 A.D.

On December 4, there will be a special Mass on behalf of the sick at Bopitiya church celebrated by Rev. Fr. Cecil Joy Perera, Director of Liturgy. On December 6, Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin, Principal Loyala College will officiate at Vesperse at 7 p.m. On December 7 the festive High Mass will be presided by Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, Episcopal Vicar, Colombo North Region. The annual procession with the statue of St. Nicholas will take place after the High Mass. Rev. Fr. Ranjan Silva, the new parish priest will conduct all festive arrangements.

Pope calls for prayers for victims of India

Pope Benedict XVI called for prayers for all victims of the attacks in India and the recent violence in Nigeria, at Angelus prayers on Sunday.

"I would like to invite you to unite in prayer for the numerous victims of the brutal terrorist attacks on Bombay, in India, and the clashes that broke out in Jos, in Nigeria," he told worshippers gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

"The causes and circumstances of these tragic events may be different, but these explosions of such cruel and insensitive violence must provoke the same horror and the same reproof," he said.

He went on to ask God to "touch the heart of those who believe (violence) is the way to resolve local or international problems," and for "gentleness and love" to serve as examples for "building a society worthy of God and man." Nearly 200 people were killed when heavily-armed militants staged co-ordinated attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai, while hundreds are feared dead after post-election violence in the central Nigerian city of Jos.

VATICAN CITY, Wednesday, AFP

St. Mary's Church feast, Mattakkuliya

The 147th annual church feast of St. Mary's Church, Mattakkuliya will be celebrated on December 14 Rev. Fr. Henry Silva, Lecturer Dewa Dharma Niketaramaya, Parish Priest at Mattakkuliya will officiate at the festive High Mass in English and Sinhala at 7.30 am, said the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Mark Fernando (TOR).

Rev. Fr. Fernando said, "Let us make the annual feast a time of salvation for us all."

The flagstaff will be hoisted on December 5 at 5 pm. The Novenas which begin on December 5 will conclude on December 12 with the eighth Novena and praise, worship and healing service under the theme, "Healing is the fruit of spirituality" presided by Rev. Fr. Eric Madurawala (TOR), Principal, Christ King College, Weliweriya. Vespers will be sung on December 13 at 7.30 pm organised by the Liturgy Committee. On December 14 at 5 pm the procession carrying the statue of Our Blessed Mother will wend its way along St. Mary's Lane, Jubilee Mawatha, Ferguson Road, Church Road, Farm Road, Vystwyke Road and return to the church. It is organised by St. Mary's Youth Association and Elders.

Sri Lankan Priest honoured with D. Phil

During the last World Congress of Integrated Medicines held at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall from November 7 to 9 Medicina Alternativa affiliated to the Open International University for Complimentary Medicines had conferred Very Rev. Fr. Neville Joe Perera, with a Doctorate in Philosophy (Honoris Causa - Social Sciences).

He is the National Coordinator for the Sri Lankan Migrants in Italy appointed by the Sri Lankan Bishops Conference. The Open International University has considered the humanitarian services that he had rendered to the Sri Lankan migrant community in Italy and also the instrumental role that he played after the devastating tsunami catastrophe especially in getting the assistance and donations of the Italian funding agencies in unbelievable amounts to rebuild and reconstruct the houses, schools and social centers. These services were offered to the Sri Lankan victims of tsunami without considering their ethnicity or religious beliefs. The philanthropic services rendered by him are unknown to many as he always tries to stay behind the curtain. There were 800 participants for this World Congress of Integrated Medicines from 97 countries.

During the ceremony only two Sri Lankans were conferred with this doctorate and he was privileged to be one of the two.

Among the participants were Jayalath Jayawardane, John Amaratunge and Neomal Perera.