By Philip Mathew

Bengaluru: An Asian consultation has reminded the Churches and faith communities to engage in dialogue with people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions, and sex characteristics, and to provide them with ministries of love, compassionate care and justice.

The consultation on “South and South East Asian Church responses to human sexuality and gender identities” heard the stories of brokenness such people experience, and acknowledged that “some of this brokenness has been inflicted by the church,” making them experience “rejection and exclusion.’’

Listening to their stories and struggles is acts of love, said the consultation, which was organized by the National Council of Churches in India and ecumenical partners.

The Asian gathering reviewed and reflected on the various facets of Churches’ engagements in India and other Asian countries from 2001 in dealing with human sexuality.

The work of inclusive churches and theologians who have struggled to preserve the dignity and the rights of marginalized communities were also heard at the consultation.

Some 50 participants from India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Singapore, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA attended the consultation that was held held at the Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) in Bangalore.

Carmelite Father Mathew Chandrankunnel, director of the ECC, welcomed the participants.

The consultation urged the Churches, theological institutes and faith communities to embrace the diversity in humanity and to engage diverse voices and perspectives in theological reflections.

In a statement, the consultation also urged the churches and people of faith to be listening communities so that they become empathetic and responsive to the pains, desires and hopes of people who feel sidelined and marginalized.

“Be transformed as Safe and Sacred Spaces of Grace, which are trustworthy, affirming, accompanying and healing environments that promote friendship, acceptance and solidarity,” the statement noted.

The participants said that the churches must become informed, competent and open spaces where people are able to discuss issues related to human sexuality in a context of faith.

The February 7-9 consultation affirmed that sexuality is a divine gift which is to be celebrated in life-affirming, consensual, and loving relationships.

“We are people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions and sex characteristics and that all are created in the image of God,” acknowledged the participants.

They invited the churches and people of faith to journey together as one people with differences in sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

The participants expressed the hoped that the churches and faith communities will be transformed into communities of dignity, respect, egalitarianism, justice and love.

Among those who spoke at the consultation were Dr Manoj Kurien, World Council of Churches, Dr Roger Gaikwad, general secretary of the NCCI, Rev Miak Siew, pastor of the Free Community Church in Singapore, Bishop Arichea Daniel, United Methodist Church in the Philippines, Ms Pearl Wong, Queer Theological Academy, Hong Kong, Dr George Zachariah, United Theological College, Bangalore and Bishop Timothy Ravinder, Church of South India, Coimbatore diocese.