PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: primate@armenian.com.au

26 June 2009

PRIMATE SPEAKS AT NCCA 15TH ANNIVERSARY ECUMENICAL SERVICE

Sydney, Australia – The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)
held an ecumenical service to celebrate its 15th anniversary on Wednesday,
24th June, 2009. As the inaugural President of the NCCA in 1994, His
Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Australia and New Zealand was invited to preach on the occasion.

After welcoming the assembly of heads of churches and congregational members
from the 17 member churches of the NCCA as well as observers and friends of
other faiths, the Archbishop centred his message on the day’s reading –
Psalm 133 – how precious and joyful are harmonious relationships which can
be achieved when there is unity.

In his sermon, Archbishop Baliozian presented his personal witness on the
growth of the NCCA’s mission which has evolved in different dimensions over
the years. "The unity in Christ on which the NCCA is established and where
for the most part its undertaking has been to bring ecumenism and
co-operation among churches, its boundaries have broadened to embrace issues
of multiculturalism, social justice, acts of peace, interfaith dialogue –
all with the common objective of forging relationships, promoting peace and
harmony and pursuing reconciliation" said the Archbishop.

However, the focus of his message was the value of faithful stewardship of
the NCCA and the universal church, highlighting the role and responsibility
of each member church in this mission.

"We have learned to appreciate each other, our differing churches and
cultures, differing gifts and viewpoints, all of which strive to do God’s
work. Through the NCCA we have learned to enjoy the way we, as members of
Christ’s body compliment each other. And on the overriding oneness in
Christ, we, the church find unity", remarked the Archbishop. "However, to
continue in this light each church must uphold its participation. As St
Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live
and work together, as the parts of the body function under the brain, so
Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus
Christ. Let us be mindful, that the strength of our unity in Christ as the
NCCA is dependant on the strength of our individual commitments."

The celebration of the 15th anniversary of the NCCA also coincided with the
commissioning of the 3rd General Secretary of the NCCA, The Reverend Tara
Curlewis whose commitment to the ecumenical movement has been inspiring and
appreciated by her peers and colleagues for many years. The Archbishop
wished Reverend Curlewis God’s abundant blessings in her service, for His
guidance in her endeavours and leadership in the new position.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress