Survey of Church Union Negotiations 1996-1999

Ecumenical Review, The, Jan, 2000 by Thomas F. Best

The programme included Bible studies by Dr Thomas Best on "The Will of God" and "Unity and Diversity"; a presentation on "Challenges and Issues Faced by the Indian Church" by Prof. Ninan Koshy; a working paper to generate discussion touching on the past history and pointing to the future, presented by Rt Rev. Dr A. George Ninan, secretary, Joint Council; group discussions and celebration of holy communion every day according to the different churches' orders.

We are giving below the message from this unique consultation to the churches and the ten resolutions passed by the consultation. All are requested to give this wide publicity and help the movement to become more visible and real in the life of the church and society in India.

Rt Rev. Dr A. George Ninan Secretary, Joint Council

II. Message to the churches

The joint meeting of the executive committees of the CNI, CSI and MTC held at Charal Mount, Kuriannoor, Kerala, 11-13 November 1999, gives thanks to the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for the gift of unity already existing between these churches and for his unceasing prompting to march forward to deeper experiences and expressions of unity. We look back with joy and thanksgiving at the road already travelled. We rejoice that we share one faith, one baptism and one eucharist and have been able to live out this unity in the Joint Council through the many joint meetings for bishops, clergy and laity. We also rejoice that we have had the joy of sharing in the one mission of God in this great land, India. We also acknowledge the amazing grace of God that sustained the unity within the Joint Council in spite of several moments of the tension and conflict. Meeting almost at the dawn of a new millennium, we declare and reaffirm that we belong to the one church of Jesus Christ in India and commit ourselves to continue to struggle for full realization of the same in all areas of our life and mission. Towards this end we dedicate ourselves at the feet of our Lord and resolve to work towards new programmes and structures that would deepen the unity within the Joint Council. We also commit ourselves to enter into dialogue with other sister churches in India.

The joint meeting entrusts the Joint Council the task of consolidating the unity within the Joint Council by increased manifestations of our unity at the national, the regional and the local levels. As an expression of our progressive movement towards unity we unanimously recommend that the Joint Council of CNI, CSI and MTC be renamed the "Communion of Churches in India" after completing the due process. The evolving of a common lectionary and the publication of a common diary are recommended. In addition the work of the commissions and the effective conduct of the Joint meetings of bishops, clergy and laity will continue. The evolving of a common catechism and increased sharing of the liturgy and of the ordained ministry will be powerful witnesses to our unity and will also help consolidation of our "togetherness" so far.