1249 China Conference opens on theme of Diversity in Unity
austraLasia 1249
China Conference opens on theme of Diversity in Unity
ROME: 17th September 2005 -- The 5th European Ecumenical
China Conference opened last night at S. Anselmo Athenaeum on the
Aventine Hill in Rome. It gathers together a vast assortment of
groups and individuals across three main Christian sectors - Catholic
Orthodox and Protestant, and across many political and ecclesial
groupings. The Holy See is represented by Cardinal Roger
Etchegaray and Bishop Brian Farrell, the former an experienced papal
envoy in many situations requiring keen diplomatic skills, the latter a
member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The US
State Department has a representative. A number of Religious
Congregations with involvement in China are well represented, not least
among them the Salesians and the Salesian Sisters. Sr. Maria Ko
Ha-Fong, a lecturer at the Auxilium in Rome, will be presenting a
biblical perspective on the conference theme.
The Conference is organised, on this occasion, by
the China-Zentrum, a non-profit organisation based in Germany, set up
in 1988 for the purpose of promoting contacts and exchange between the
cultures and religions of the West and those of China. The Centre
(Zentrum) is responsible for disseminating information on China on a
regular basis, for dialogue and cooperation with Mainland China, HK
SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan and local churches. The Salesians in Bonn
(MIssion and Development Office) are a formal member of the
China-Zentrum.
Working groups at the conference are looking at such
matters as theological pluralism in the Churches in China, fostering
ecumencial collaboration, approaches to inter-religious encounters in
China, the contribution of Chinese students, graduates, scholars in
CHina after return from studies in Europe, cooperation in the fields of
theological formation, education, social development.
As always with a conference of this type, other than
selected talks and papers of particular interest, the main value is at
the level of personal contact. Perhaps in contrast to some
conferences which are entirely 'head' focused and conceptual, the China
Conference has allowed ample space for personal 'heart' contact and
socialising.
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