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OPENING ACTIVITIES

The HRD'91 began with exercises in community building on 23 April. Participants were enabled to get acquainted with each other at a deeper personal level and so begin to build a sense of community at least for the duration of the programme.

The opening worship that followed was also participated by local SCMers from Los Banos, senior friends and members of the national host committee of SCM.

 

PROBLEMS AND ISSUES CONFRONTING THE REGION

* Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, history professor at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, was resource person on 24 April. Among the problems and issues confronting Asia, she emphasized the glaring poverty and want of the people in the so-called developing countries, the ongoing destruction of the environment due to the prevail­ing concept of development, and the growing militarism and militariza­tion in Asia especially by the US. Behind all these, she said, are issues of economic structures and political power which benefit only a few and are also nurtured by foreign commercial and military interests. She also asked for support to the Filipino people's continuing struggle for a US-bases­free Philippines. Only then can the Philippines contribute to "regional stability and the creation of a zone of genuine peace, freedom and neutrality," she said.

* Ms. Rita'T. Baua, deputy coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Peoples' Forum on Peace and Development (APPFPD), was resource person on 25 April. She mentioned nuclear testing and nuclear waste dumping in the Pacific by some developed countries as the major problem affecting both human life and the environment. She also cited the

 

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"Japanization" of the Pacific as another big issue -- Japan is extending itself economically and militarily in the Pacific. While Christianity is a minority religion in the Pacific, the entry of fundamentalist Christians has posed a hindrance to the liberation of the people. She then challenged the SCM to help provide the liberating kind of Christianity -- one that would truly renew the mind to pursue peace, liberation and development.

 

CHURCH AND SOCIAL REALITY

.    * Dr. Feliciano Carino, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), was resource person on "NCCP: Church and Social Reality" on 27 April. Tracing a brief history of Christianity in the Philippines, he said there has always been a link between the church and politics and that in fact the church is a political power in itself and has a political role. The question however is what kind of power and for whom? Focusing on the NCCP and its role in the transformation of church and society, he said the council is committed to moving towards a "broader ecumenism" where the church becomes a "companion of the people's struggle." Only when the church is renewed and transformed can it be more serviceable to the people and to the transformation of Philippine society as a whole, he added.

 

BIBLE STUDIES

* The Revd Dr. Somen Das of India led a series of Bible studies and a faith reflection based on the theme of HRD'91. Focusing on the word transformation, he said it is possible through formation which results in disciplined spirituality. However it also involves the process of deformation. Both processes of formation and deformation are spoken about in various parts of the Bible. They describe the dynamism of life and evep of the divine reality. Jesus Christ who is not a passive reality testifies in a vivid way to the quality and nature of formation and deformation -- through his humility in service and servant­hood, and even through the humiliation of his ignoble death on the cross. Jesus Christ's greatest deformation lies in his self-emptying for the sake of all people. Life in Christ, therefore, must be made by this new transformation.

 

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Prof. Elizabeth G. Dominguez of the Philippines also led some sessions of Bible study. She reminded the HRD participants of the need to know one's historical beginnings -- whether as a people or as a movement. Becoming established or institutionalized often makes one forget the historical connection. She spoke of Christianity as a movement -- of God becoming human in Jesus, becoming a real presence and an active power on behalf of those who have been rendered powerless. The church of God is called upon to be that "presence" and "empowering" agent today. But then the church has become so institutionalized it has often lost the essence of its historical origin. She therefore challenged the SCM -- being the church in the university campuses -- to be engaged in where the church has failed. That SCM is a movement should mean it is open to the possibilities of a new future.

 

WORSHIP, LITURGY AND MUSIC

* Tomas Madella of the Asian Institute of Liturgy and Music conducted a training workshop on worship, liturgy and music. He cited the problem of people turning away from churches because worship to them has become boring or irrelevant. He said the problem lies in the planning of worship as pastors are too busy doing other work or they simply stick to traditional ways. To address the problem, churches have begun to engage in liturgical renewal -- through linking liturgy with education, emphasizing the centrality of scriptures, enabling people's participation, using indigenous cultural elements, including contemporary human situations, and encouraging the use of inclusive language.

He suggested ways of renewing liturgy: (1) by revising existing forms -- the basic structure is maintained but some parts are changed depending upon the occasion; (2) cultural adaptation; (3) making new compositions of prayers, proclamation, songs and rituals, etc. He charac­terized the structure of worship as having the following elements: clear­ness and meaningfulness of parts, coherence and unity, spontaneity, and flexibility.

 

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