WCC NEWS: WCC expresses concern about crisis in El Salvador

“It is with great concern that we are following political developments in El Salvador that undermine democracy and the rule of law in the country”, said Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches. "We pray that the God of life will lead El Salvador to peace and justice”, added Sauca. Photo: Valter Muniz/ACT Alliance 7 May 2021 On 1 May,  a decision by El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly dismissed the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Attorney General.  The removal of the country’s attorney general and Constitutional Court judges eliminates two of the remaining checks on the power of the administration of President Nayib Bukele, who has been consolidating control of democratic institutions since he took office in June 2019. The ecumenical forum of churches in El Salvador issued a statement on 6 May expressing apprehension over the delicate situation in the country and reaffirming their commitment to promote a dialogue with the Government, the new Legislative Assembly, the Supreme Court of Justice and the Attorney General, the private sector and the political opposition. “We call on our members to promote peace, within the family, the community, the local church and the people in general, avoiding confrontation that could lead to violence and disunity between brothers and sisters, as we experienced in the past civil war, that should not be repeated”, reads the statement.  WCC member churches in El Salvador See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland