Anglican Communion News Service

With the title Inter Faith Integrity and Christian Witness NIFCON (the Network for Inter Faith Concerns of the Anglican Communion) held its first regional consultation at the United Theological College, Bangalore, India, 30 August - 4 September 2003. A key purpose of the consultation was to explore the interface between inter faith concerns and mission and evangelism issues - particularly as they affect the life of the Anglican Communion and United Churches associated with the Communion.

At the beginning of the consultation participants coming from 14 countries in Asia and beyond, were challenged by words of greeting presented on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury by Canon David Marshall. They were reminded that ‘We (members of the Christian church) are motivated by a humble confidence that if the Gospel is true it will indeed transform all human enterprise. But such transformation is only possible if we engage as fully and patiently as we can with the reality of the experience of other faiths. We cannot know in advance exactly how the gospel transformation is to come about, but it will be in honest and practical witness to the forgiveness, reconciliation and inclusion at the heart of the Gospel of Christ that our understanding will begin to grow.’

Two keynote addresses were offered - the first by Father Michael Amaladoss SJ, an internationally renowned Catholic scholar of mission and inter faith issues. Father Amaladoss’ address entitled 'An integral Vision of Mission for a New Millennium' provided a lucid survey of contemporary Catholic theology of mission and dialogue, which drew attention to the two different horizons against which Christians are called: the universal goal of the Kingdom, and the specific goal of the Church. The second address by the Revd Dr Sathianathan Clarke (Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at United Theological College) focused on 'Being Church in India Today'. Dr Clarke spoke of the Church's mission to reclaim local neighbourhoods from intolerant, aggressive and divisive attitudes. To symbolise this vocation he used three textile pictures from the New Testament: the Church as patch, mending tears in ruptured communities; the Church as fringe, reaching out to the excluded and marginalized; and the Church as garment, quilting social life together in a harmony made out of diversity.

The geographical context of the meeting was very important. The consultation was concerned to hear about situations of inter religious tension in India - particularly in Gujarat, and reflected on the most appropriate response that it as a consultation, and the wider Anglican Communion, could offer.

Space was also available for participants in the consultation from outside India to share insights on inter faith issues based on their own regional experience - resonating them against the Indian context in which we were situated. A series of Bible studies invited participants to extend and deepen their understanding of the biblical basis for mission and inter faith involvement - though once again seeking to do so in a way that was contextually appropriate. Many participants also commented on the prayerful focus that permeated the meeting - and the blessing of generous hospitality which was offered by local Christians in Bangalore.

Key issues to emerge from the consultation included:

• The importance, particularly at the present time, of the Anglican Communion developing its Network for Inter Faith Concerns

• The importance of those involved in inter faith work taking seriously the need for advocacy on behalf of those suffering religious persecution or harassment

• The value of finding ways for those involved in inter faith issues to emerge in intra-Christian dialogue with others eg those working with mission and evangelism concerns.

• The affirmation that ‘dialogue’ can and must take a variety of forms. As well as the four often quoted (life, social action, intellectual, and worship) we identified the importance of dialogue linked to artistic and cultural expressions.

Clare Amos
Coordinator, NIFCON