Theological Education and Leadership Formation for Ecumenical Movement in a Challenging Era

Keynote Address to the Inauguration Celebration

Program of Studies in Ecumenism and Social Transformation

Hanshin University Graduate school of Theology, Korea
Rev. Dr. Huang Po Ho, vice president & Prof. CJCU
Sept. 25, 2012

Introduction

Hanshin Chapel Choir

The Inauguration of the Program for Studies in Ecumenism and Social Transformation, Launched by Hanshin University Graduate School of Theology at this moment of time has a very important significance to the ecumenical movement in this critical period of history. In one side, this new initiative of ecumenical theological studies can be considered a gift of Asian churches to welcome Busan Assembly of the World Council of Churches to be held in 2013, which is the second WCC assembly to be held in Asia. In the other side, this new attempt of to establish a theological program on ecumenical studies can be seen also as a response of Asian churches towards the challenges and crisis facing ecumenical movement today.

Phyllis Trible in the Consultation 

international program students

Busan Assembly as the second WCC Assembly held in Asia, has chosen the theme of “God of Life, Lead us to Justice and Peace” as its assembly call of prayer to the world and particularly to Christian congregations. This is the first time that the World Council of Churches explicitly taking up the terms of Justice and Peace for its assembly theme.[1] A theme that has its urgency to people in Asia particularly after the declaration of Barack Obama, the president of the United States of its “Pivot to Asia” policy. The recent international tensions emerged in Korean Peninsula, the East Sea, and the South China Sea entangled almost all Asian countries and also the United States, have demonstrated the explosive situation of the international conflicts in the region. Peace and people’s security are threatened by the international interests particularly from the hegemonic supper power countries. Any conflict irrupts in these regions will inevitably involve the clashes between the United States and China, and in which no country in this continent can really stay away from it. True peace can only be sustained when justice is upheld. There will be no unity, no ecumenism if true peace is threatened and justice is undermined. Ecumenical movement has been confronted its test stone in Asia.