CENTURY OF FRIENDSHIP
Inaugurated in National Ecumenical Youth Assembly

2010 could not have begun any better for youth than by attending the National Ecumenical Youth Assembly which has commenced in Kolkata. More than Eight hundred young people from diverse Christian denominations and religious traditions from different parts of India, South Asian Countries and Ecumenical Organizations were convened by the Commission on Youth of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI).

The youth assembly was also commemorating the centenary of World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh 1910 by identifying new and creative perspectives in the direction of ecumenical mission in the 21st century.

All the delegates and guests were welcomed by Mr. Suman Biswas the Chairperson of Commission on Youth and also the local host of the NEYA to the city of Kolkata. He beckoned everyone to enjoy in the ‘city of joy’.

The program began with Inaugural Worship led by Dr. Joseph Prabhakar and youth focusing on the main theme. In his homily, Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Coorilos of Mumbai underlined the need to “promote friendship by loving and caring humanity amidst violence, terrorism, fundamentalism, hate and division in India.” He urged youths to "have a deep encounter with God through Christ whose presence in our life can dynamically transform us and bless us with a great future.”

In his introductory address briefing the main purpose of this Ecumenical Youth Assembly, Fr. Vineeth Koshy, Secretary of Commission on Youth of NCCI, pointed out that, “Friendship is a new and inclusive paradigm of relation to ecumenism.” He believes that friendly relation alone will bind and unite humanity together. He observed that "with less young people participating in church and ecumenical movement, there is a strong need to raise leaders and nurture them to contribute to the mission and the country," He pointed out that during the four days we will study on the need for friendship with God, nature and humanity, and observes the up-coming era as a CENTURY OF FRIENDSHIP.

President of NCCI, Bishop Taranath Sagar, in his address, said, “We need to remove the barriers of race, color and class, and preach friendship and unity taught by Christ. Even Christ called us friends.” He continued: "We always say future belongs to youths. I want to rephrase this by declaring that it is the present that belongs to youths. Waiting for the future makes us lazy and isolated. This is the time and we must begin serving God.”

Dr. Mathews George Chunakkara, Director of Commission of International Affairs, World Council of Churches, gave the keynote address on the inaugural day. In his message, he pointed how ecumenism is being greatly affected by lack of youth leadership and strength which he said is pushing the world to chaos. He stated that today the ecumenical movement all over had deteriorated and an event such as NEYA was a step towards its revival.

"The 20th century has seen unprecedented violence. Violence perpetrated against man from man. In this rapidly developing world, we undoubtedly need better relationships." He deciphered ecumenism as friendship. And in true friendship he said, “there is care and love; without friends, life becomes monotonous, narrow and fragile. Christ by calling us friends has placed us in intimate relationship with God." During his keynote address he explained in detail on the crux of NEYA deliberations that is Friendship with God, Friendship with Humanity and Friendship with Nature.

Elaborating on the need for friendship with God, he said, "The adventurous life of Abraham and David is a classic example of friendship with God. God's intentions were revealed to Abraham and he humbly followed it. This is beautiful." To conclude, Dr. Chunakkara reminded the youths of Christ’s crucifixion which he said was an ultimate example of love and friendship.

The Ecumenical leaders from NCC Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and from CCA gave their greetings and wishes for a fruitful ecumenical youth assembly.

For more information, email us at: neya2010@nccindia.in

Vineeth Koshy, Secretary-Commision on Youth