THE CONSTITUTION

 

PREAMBLE

Significant and creative theological developments have emerged in various Asian settings dealing with concrete issues of ecclesiological, missiological and political life and work. Minjung theology in Korea, Homeland theology in Taiwan, the theology of struggle in the Philippines, Dalit theology in India, Indigenous people’s theologies in Asia, the theology of dialogue with people of living faiths and ideologies, the theology of religions, and the theologies of Asian women -- these and many more have made their imprint in the panorama of Asian Christianity and ecumenical life.

A keen need has arisen to articulate Asian theologies more clearly and sharply, to cultivate new methodologies of doing theology in the Asian context, and to polish the academic and professional training for developing Asian theological scholarship.

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has in recent times undertaken the prominent role in developing and promoting the Asian theological agenda in the Asian ecumenical movement. Other ecumenical organizations have done their part as well. The World Student Christian Federation, through its Asia Pacific Regional Office (WSCF-AP), and the Associations of Theological Education, e.g. Association of Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA), the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College (BTE/SSC), and the Program of Theologies and Cultures in Asia (PTCA) have undertaken creative work in various levels of theological exploration and construction.

The leaders from CCA, ATESEA, BTE/SSC, PTCA, the network of Theological Education and Schools, Christian Institutes and Study Centers in Korea and various other individual theologians from different Asian countries have met, first in Hong Kong in May and then in Seoul, Korea in July 1996, and decided to issue a call and to organize a Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS). The first Congress was held in Suwon, Korea from May 25 - June 1, 1997, and it adopted this Constitution.
 

I. NAME

The Name of the Movement shall be “The Congress of Asian Theologians”, hereafter referred to as “CATS”.
 

II. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of CATS are:

  1. To clarify, promote and enhance the co-operative process of theological studies and reflection among committed Asian theologians who are prepared to deal with critical Asian issues as part of the Asian theological agenda.
     

  2. To vitalize, facilitate and foster a cross-fertilization of theological insights and studies among Asian theologians from various Asian contexts.
     

  3. To serve and assist Asian Christian communities and people through theological articulation and engagement.
     

  4. To witness to the Gospel among intellectual and religious communities through academic studies and existential reflection of theological issues in the Asian context.
     

  5. To help in deepening the theological foundations of the ecumenical movement in Asia and in developing a new Asian ecumenical vision.
     

  6. To assist in locating present and future ecumenically committed leaders for Asian churches and in providing ways and means to equip and nurture them.
     

  7. To participate in the ongoing studies and discussion of the wider international ecumenical theological community and make a distinctive Asian contribution to them.
     

  8. To consider and develop a continuing structure for collective and common work among Asian theologians and assist in advancing and consolidating regional infra-structures for theological studies and education.
     

III. MEMBERSHIP

  1. It will be open to all Asian theologians in Asia, and to Asian theologians who are in Diaspora outside Asia who are prepared to commit themselves to the aims, purposes and activities of CATS. Theologians from Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand, both of which countries are part of the geographic area of the CCA, are integral to the life and work of CATS and will be full participants in it.
     

  2. Theologians who are not Asians, but who have lived and worked in Asia and/or who have continuing interest in and commitments towards the development of Asian theology are welcome to apply for participation in CATS and be involved in its various programmes and activities.
     

  3. Participation in the Congress itself will be determined with due consideration given to a proper balance of geography, e.g. sub-regions and countries, gender, age, denominational and confessional backgrounds, and theological disciplines.
     

  4. Members shall pay a membership fee to be determined from time to time by the Continuation Committee.
     

IV. FOUNDING INSTITUTIONS AND SUPPORTING BODIES

  1. CATS is supported by and works in cooperation with the Christian Conference of Asia and networks of theological education in Asia primarily ATESEA, BTE/SSC, PTCA, FABC and other ecumenical organizations.
     

  2. Any institution that subscribes to the objectives of CATS may become a supporting body of the Congress.
     

V. STRUCTURE

The CATS structure shall consist of:

  1. The Congress

  2. A Continuation Committee

  3. Working groups

1. The Congress

  1. The Congress is the general meeting of its members. It shall normally meet once every two (2) years in one of the Asian countries.
     

  2. According to a quota determined by the Continuation Committee for each country, representatives shall be invited to the Congress -- gender and regional balance shall be observed in determining the representation.
     

  3. The Congress in session shall elect six members at large to the Continuation Committee.
     

  4. The Congress shall be a forum for theological discussion, the presentation of reports and accounts, and planning for future activities.
     

  5. Subject to this constitution, questions arising at a meeting of the Congress shall be decided by a majority of votes of those present and voting.

2. Continuation Committee

  1. The Continuation Committee shall be formed by one each from the five representatives of founding bodies and six members at large who are elected by the Congress.
     

  2. The Continuation Committee shall elect two co-moderators, a secretary and a treasurer who shall serve for not more than two consecutive terms.
     

  3. The six (6) members at large of the Continuation Committee shall serve for not more than two (2) consecutive terms.
     

  4. The Continuation Committee shall be responsible for implementing the policies of CATS, maintaining network relationships, monitoring the work of the Congress and making policy recommendations.
     

  5. The Continuation Committee shall have the right to scrutinize applications for membership and admit members.
     

  6. The Continuation Committee shall appoint working groups for furthering issue oriented and discipline oriented dialogue and shall appoint a convener for each working group.
     

  7. The Continuation Committee shall facilitate closer ties and mutual co-operation between networks for greater exchange of scholars especially for the purpose of existing graduate courses and for the purpose of the Asian theological agenda shaping the curricula in our theological schools.
     

  8. The Continuation Committee shall meet periodically to plan the activities of CATS.
     

  9. The Continuation committee through the Treasurer shall collect membership fees, keep a register of membership and raise financial resources from the churches and other institutions.
     

  10. The Continuation Committee shall have the right to appoint full-time/part-time staff whenever necessary and direct their work.
     

  11. The Continuation Committee shall from time to time co-opt members for the purpose of organizing CATS.

3. Working Groups

  1. The working groups shall be constituted by the Continuation Committee.
     

  2. The working groups shall meet regionally or inter-regionally during the interim period between two Congresses and shall promote dialogue and co-operation.
     

  3. Findings and recommendations of the working groups will be presented to the Congress for sharing and for appropriate action.
     

VI. AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended at a meeting of the Congress by a resolution passed by a majority of the members present and voting.

Amended on August 8, 2003

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