12-19-2004, 03:23 AM
Indian Churches Launch Dalit Liberation Program
http://www.wfn.org/2004/12/msg00137.html
The <b>United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI)</b> has launched
the <b>"UELCI Dalit Liberation Movement," </b>a program that affirms the
churches' commitment to the liberation of Dalits' from all forms of
oppressive structures and forces.
Speaking at the November 11 launching ceremony in <b>Tamil Nadu</b>, UELCI
Executive Secretary, Rev. <b>Dr Chandran Paul Martin commended the Lutheran churches for their leading role in the introduction of theological reflection on Dalit theology in the country</b>, especially the inclusion of related studies at the Gurukul Theological College in Chennai. A significant part of the ceremony was the symbolic lighting of five traditional lamps representing the major areas of work - advocacy, education, economic development, political action and networking. The cutting of a rope "tied to the Dalits" depicted the liberation of individuals belonging to India's lowest caste. The UELCI president, Bishop Lawrence G. Rao urged member churches to exercise full ownership of the new program through active participation in the respective work areas.
Leaders of the eleven UELCI member churches, representing over 1.7
million Lutherans attended the ceremony. Other participants included the organization's former executive secretaries, Dr Kunchala Rajaratnam and Rev. Dr Prasanna Kumari, vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Asian region, 1997-2003.
The LWF supports the new Dalit program through its Department for
Mission and Development (DMD). Ms Margret Stasius, project coordination and administration, and Mr Jacob K. Schep, project implementation and monitoring in DMD, represented the LWF secretariat. (244 words) (UELCI News)
http://www.wfn.org/2004/12/msg00137.html
The <b>United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI)</b> has launched
the <b>"UELCI Dalit Liberation Movement," </b>a program that affirms the
churches' commitment to the liberation of Dalits' from all forms of
oppressive structures and forces.
Speaking at the November 11 launching ceremony in <b>Tamil Nadu</b>, UELCI
Executive Secretary, Rev. <b>Dr Chandran Paul Martin commended the Lutheran churches for their leading role in the introduction of theological reflection on Dalit theology in the country</b>, especially the inclusion of related studies at the Gurukul Theological College in Chennai. A significant part of the ceremony was the symbolic lighting of five traditional lamps representing the major areas of work - advocacy, education, economic development, political action and networking. The cutting of a rope "tied to the Dalits" depicted the liberation of individuals belonging to India's lowest caste. The UELCI president, Bishop Lawrence G. Rao urged member churches to exercise full ownership of the new program through active participation in the respective work areas.
Leaders of the eleven UELCI member churches, representing over 1.7
million Lutherans attended the ceremony. Other participants included the organization's former executive secretaries, Dr Kunchala Rajaratnam and Rev. Dr Prasanna Kumari, vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Asian region, 1997-2003.
The LWF supports the new Dalit program through its Department for
Mission and Development (DMD). Ms Margret Stasius, project coordination and administration, and Mr Jacob K. Schep, project implementation and monitoring in DMD, represented the LWF secretariat. (244 words) (UELCI News)