An Ecumenical Adventure in Faith
Diocesan Press Service. August 3, 1966 [45-5]
M. A. Thomas, Director, the Ecumenical Christian Center, Cos Town, Bangalore, India
There is a danger on the part of the churches in India of becoming a ghetto, isolated from the life of the wider community and nation. The Church has to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. There is no doubt that the Indian Church has contributed its share to the building up of the democratic foundations of the nation and the redemption of society. However, the Church is pathetically divided and greatly ineffective. The need for a common centre where churches could be brought together, to promote unity among them and to stimulate thinking about the dynamic role of the church in the nation was recognized by several leaders of the churches in India and the Ecumenical Christian Centre in Bangalore was founded in January of 1963.
The Centre is a venture in faith. There was no promise or assurance of any financial support from any source whatever for such a major enterprise. Many Indian Christians, however, have come forward, as have those from other parts of the world, and the Centre is today a legal entity recognized by the Government of India.
The Centre started concentrating on its programme from the very beginning, even before acquiring a site. It arranged conferences in Bangalore and in several other towns such as Bellary, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Vellore, Madras, Alwaye, Kottayam and Trivandrum, involving about 1,100 participants. These conferences covered a variety of subjects: Christian Approach to Modern Islam and Hinduism, Christian Ministry to the Industrial Areas, Family Planning, Youth and Authority, Joint Action in Mission, Ecumenical Concerns, Christian Responsibility in Secular Professions, and Modern Approach to the Missionary Problem. The Roman-Catholics have shown sympathy from the very beginning and have taken part in many of these conferences.
The Centre now has a site of about 20 acres on the outskirts of the city of Bangalore, a highly industrialized city of one and a half mill .on- There are six major theological colleges in Bangalore and the Orthodox and Mar Thoma Churches have thriving congregations, providing a unique and congenial local ecumenical setting.
An old building, part of the purchase, though inadequate, forms the base of operations. The construction of a dining hall and kitchen is nearing completion. Foundation stones have already been laid for two hostels and a staff residence.
A meeting hall, two more hostels, library, chapel, more staff residences, office rooms and quarters for domestic servants have to be built and furnished to make the year- round conferences possible at the Centre.
It has been proposed that accommodation should be provided for year round writing seminars to produce much needed literature for both Christians and non-Christians. Also proposed is an Academy at the Centre on World Citizenship where we could offer a six month course in ecumenism and the church's participation in nation building. Two such courses would be arranged a year, and would provide a permanent community. These additional programmes would necessitate additional staff, but all requires substantial financial subsidies which the church in India, still much dependent on foreign help, will not be able to provide.
One of the dangers that has overtaken some national institutions in our country is their lack of reference to the poor village communities around them. We are anxious to avoid this and intend to serve in a small measure by ministering to the health of the illiterate hundreds through a small medical unity and by involving them in the development of the farm at the Centre.
We are convinced beyond doubt that our Christian obedience and service can be more effective in today's India through the Ecumenical Christian Centre. By confrontation with the world and its everyday problems, the lethargy, unproductive habits and thinking of the people should be helped to die that they and the nation may live the life abundant.