Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

A three-day consultation organised by Bishop Patteson Theological College in Honiara is to focus on key issues that challenge the Church of Melanesia's mission to effectively address violence against women and disabled persons.

The consultation, which has a theological emphasis, is to run from 29 to 31 August 2007. Local resource people drawn from church institutions and NGOs will share their experiences of working among abused women and disabled persons and will discuss ways in which to tackle the problems encountered.

The consultation will be facilitated by the Revd Dr Wati Longchar, Director of Ecumenical Theological Education in Asia.

Dr Longchar will speak on challenges to the mission of the church on violence against women and challenges to theological education on disability. Other speakers will cover the topics of pastoral ministry to disability as well as ecumenism and violence against women and disability that will form the basis for discussion throughout the consultation.

A paper on the United Nations Declaration on this issue will also be presented on behalf of the Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network and the World Council of Churches.

The consultation hopes, among other things, to form a network of stakeholders that would help in empowering the church and society to work hand-in-hand in addressing this issue.

Item from: The Melanesian Messenger