WCC NEWS: In Colombia, WCC delegation aims to strengthen dialogue on peace

With a visit to Colombia on 8-11 August, a World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation will express solidarity with the Colombian government, churches, and people as they collaborate in the design, implementation, and advocacy for the construction of peace in the country. Marcelo Schneider/WCC 08 August 2023 Led by Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, the delegation will meet state officials, ecumenical partners, and the Latin American Conference of Bishops; as well as attend the International Conference for Reconciliation in Colombia, an event organized by DiPaz (Interchurch Dialogue for Peace in Colombia). “This visit represents a huge opportunity for the WCC to affirm its support for processes leading to just peace with its member churches and ecumenical partners who are actively engaged on the ground,” said Mtata. “The Colombia peace process offers a meaningful promise to a world ravaged by conflict and wars,” he added. Mtata will offer a keynote address at the conference, which will also feature conversations with government representatives and other actors involved in the peace process. Conference participants and speakers will address status and challenges of the peace processes and socio-legal dialogues with armed groups in Colombia; as well as ecumenical international experiences and learnings in peacebuilding. Discussions will also acknowledge the Cuban ecumenical movement for its contributions to the peace process in Colombia. During the visit, Mtata will be accompanied by Rev. Vilma Yanez, from the Presbyterian Church of Colombia, and a member of the WCC central committee; Dr h.c. Humberto Shikiya, WCC regional representative to the Colombia peace process; and Dr Marcelo Schneider, WCC staff. WCC underscores support for Colombia peace process Read the full letter from the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay to the Colombian President H.E. Gustavo Petro Urrego   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 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. 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