16th October 2008 was a historic moment for the CASA family, as Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) visited CASA Headquarters in New Delhi.   Dr. Kobia, who was on a visit to India, met Dr. Sushant Agrawal, Director, CASA and Moderator of ACT (Action by Churches Together) International at the CASA head office,  along with his colleague Dr. Matthews Chunakara, Asia Secretary, WCC.  Dr. Kobia after spending some time with the Director, CASA in his chamber, was welcomed by the CASA family at the Conference hall.

In the welcome address, Dr. Sushant Agrawal, introduced Dr. Kobia to the CASA family and felicitated the visiting dignitaries from the WCC: Dr. Sam Kobia and Dr. Mathews.  He also raised the concern of increasing religious intolerance and communal violence in India, particularly at Kandhmal district of Orissa.   He also said that the majority of the Hindu community are peace lovers and that its only a handful of extremists are behind the atrocities against the Christians in Orissa. He further mentioned CASA’s commitment to respond to the victims of communal violence in Orissa.

In his brief speech Dr. Kobia acknowledged that CASA is one of the very important partners of the WCC as the Social Action arm of the Indian member Churches of the WCC.  He also congratulated CASA for celebrating its 60 years last year, as this year WCC celebrates its 60 years.

Regarding the growing atrocities against Christians in Orissa and elsewhere in India, he expressed his concerns and said that “Religious Extremism is one of the greatest threat to humankind”. He also shared about the WCC’s ‘Decade to Overcome Violence’ campaign in the context of communal violence in Orissa.   He further, said that WCC has already written an appeal to the Prime Minister of India, requesting him to respond to the atrocities against Christians in Orissa.   He was hopeful of restoration of peace in the communally tensed Orissa.

Finally with a vote of thanks by Mr. Dinesh Suna, Policy Officer, CASA the brief meeting was concluded.