Archdiocese of Australia and NZ: Assyrian Church of the East Participates in National Council of Churches in Australia Forum

2010-07-12

Between the 9th and 13th of July, the National Council of Churches in Australia held its 7th National Forum in Canberra. The NCCA comprises 19 member churches of different Christian denominations, including the Catholic, Oriental and Eastern Orthodox and Protestant traditions. The ecumenical body was first inaugurated in its present form, in 1994. The NCCA works in collaboration with state ecumenical councils, is an associate of the World Council of Churches and a member of the Christian Conference of Asia. The Assyrian Church of the East has been an active participant in the NCCA since its inception in 1994. The delegation of the Assyrian Church of the East to the 7th National Forum in Canberra, representing His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia AM, was led by Rev. John Kushaba, Priest of Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Sydney, and included Deacon Daniel Kochou and Mr. Joseph Haweil.

The National Forum, held triennially, provides an opportunity for the heads of the NCCA’s member churches and designated representatives to come together and explore and build upon the spirit of the ecumenical movement. The Forum evaluates the progress of the NCCA’s Commissions and Networks and provides recommendations for their future directions. Daily worship and bible study sessions are also held.

During the 6th National Forum of the NCCA, held in 2007 at Queensland’s Alexandra Headlands, the Assyrian Church of the East delegation was invited to deliver a presentation on the situation of Iraq’s Assyrian Christians, their persecution and the subsequent concerns of the Assyrian Church of the East in relation to their treatment. The 2007 Forum unanimously accepted a motion moved by the Assyrian Church of the East (and seconded by the Roman Catholic Church, in consultation with the Anglican Church of Australia and the Uniting Church in Australia) expressing its concern on the treatment of Assyrian Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq. The motion, in addition to requesting the prayers of member churches for Iraq’s religious minorities, also encouraged member churches “to do whatever is in their power to urge Australian governments and other governments to assist refugees, particularly Christians who have been singled out for persecution in the Middle East, by providing financial assistance and granting humanitarian and other visas.”

The NCCA subsequently issued two media releases standing in solidarity with Iraq’s Assyrian Christians. Former Secretary General of the NCCA, the Rev’d John Henderson stated in 2008 that “We are distressed to hear of the suffering of Christians in Iraq, and the deliberate and targeted attacks which they are experiencing. We continue to ask the Australian government to take this situation into account in its consideration of support for Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan, resettlement plans for Iraqi refugees once the country finds peace, and support for repatriation when it is safe to return.” It is noteworthy that the NCCA had also issued a press release in 2003 concerning Assyrian Christians in Iraq which prayed that “the Assyrian Church of the East will endure this trial experience and return to its roots as the largest missionary force in the world.”

The Assyrian Church of the East continues to support the work of the NCCA in furthering Christian understanding and the ecumenical spirit and endeavours work with the NCCA in future Forums and forthcoming initiatives.  

The Most Reverend Dr. Phillip Aspinall - Archbishop of Brisbane and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia

Reverend John Kushaba

Reverend John Kushaba Pictured with the NCCA Executive

Rev J Kushaba and Deacon Daniel Kochou the Most Rev Michael Putney, Roman Catholic Bishop of Townsville

Rev J Kushaba and Joseph Haweil with the Most Reverend Dr. Phillip Aspinall - Archbishop of Brisbane and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia

Proceedings of the NCCA Forum

Proceedings of the NCCA Forum

His Excellency Archbishop Philip Wilson - Roman Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide and President of the Australian Catholic Bishop

Bishop Philip Huggins - Anglican Church of Australia

Assyrian Church of the East Delegates Pictured with Representatives of the Indian Orthodox Church and the Mar Thoma Church