Partner Churches
Partner Churches
Heilbronn:
The Catholic Deanery of Heilbronn
The Evangelische Kirchenbezirk Heilbronn
Sabah:
The Catholic Diocese of Kota Kinabalu, The Catholic Diocese of Keningau
The Basel Christian Church of Malaysia
Protestant Church in Sabah
In 1982, an ecumenical study group from Heilbronn, Germany visited Malaysia. It was initiated by Dr.Karl Rennstich, a Protestant missionery formerly serving the Rungus community in Kudat region and Mr.Werner Reiter, the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Centre for Education Work. Dr.Rennstich was at that time attached to the Office of Mission and Ecumenical Relations of the Protestant Church in Heilbronn.
A direct consequence of this visit was the first 'return visit' when a group of Christian from East and West Malaysia was invited to participate in a Mission Festival in Heilbronn in 1984. Since then there has been codial and meaningful contacts between the churches of both countries. A second ecumenical study group from Heilbronn visited Malaysia in 1986. Subsequently such mutual visits were organised once in two years.
In august 1990, formal agreements were signed to seal the partnership. Bishop Thu En Yu of BCCM and Bishop John Lee of the Catholic Church were the signatories from Sabah whiles the Heilbronn side was represented by Gerhard Berroth, President of the District Synod, and Dean Mohler of the Catholic deanery of Heilbronn.
The aim of this Partnership are as follows:
(Based on the agreement with BCCM)
(i) Promote awareness and better understanding of ecumenism
(ii) Ecumenical sharing of resources
(iii) Partnership in Mission and theological education
(iv) Promote, sustain and respect the multilateral relationship of both
parties.
(Based on the agreement with RC Church)
"To experience fraternal unity and enrich each other
in whatever possible way along Christian journey, thus, to experience and
share together the salvation of the Lord for all manking."
Aside from the mutual visits, there were periodical contacts on matters related to the needs of both Churches. Individuals from both sides also made private visits to know the country and the local church better. With the setting up of the Ecumenical Committee on 28th February 2003, it is hope that theis Partnership could be further strengthened.
Ecumenical Committee on Sabah-Heilbronn
Partnership (Established in 28th February,2003)
The 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 Committee Members are as follows:
Chairman: Dominic Lim (RC)
Secretary: Pdt. Marunsai Dawai (PCS)
Members: Ho Yin Khiong (BCCM); Lucy Liew (RC); Pdt.William Lo (BCCM); Pst.Daniel
Oduhau (PCS); Rosmarie Lim (RC); and Fredoline Umis (RC).
The objectives of this local Committee are as follows:
(a) To promote the Sabah-Heilbronn Partnership within and among the 3 Churches
in Sabah
(b) To handle all matters related to the ecumenical visits
(c) To share information pertaining to the Churches in Heilbronn and Sabah
Members serving the 2007-2008 term:
Chairman: Pastor Marunsai Dawai (PCS)
Secretary: Christine Kinsik (RC)
Members: Ho Yin Khiong (BCCM); Pdt.William Lo (BCCM); Dominic Lim (RC);
Neil Mah (RC); Baan Angga (RC); Pst.Torido Rnmanggong (PCS) and Pst.Daniel
Oduhau (PCS).