WCC news: WCC backs extension of ceasefire in Colombia

Within the framework of the negotiations and conversations of the third cycle of the Peace Dialogue Table between the government of Colombia and the Estado Mayor Central FARC-EP, the news was received on its fourth day of sessions that President Petro approved Decree 0016 of 14 January 2024, which it extends the ceasefire with the EMC FARC-EP for six more months. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 18 January 2024 “We receive this news with great joy,” said World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay. “It shows that further steps are being taken for the peace process to advance, in the interests of the security and rights of the civilian population,” he said. “In the midst of the conflicts that occur in different places in the world, this news is a sign of hope that peace with social justice, and in this case with environmental justice as well, will actually be built,” added Pillay.  The WCC participates in the Round Table of Dialogue for Peace as a Permanent Accompanying Party along with the Roman Catholic Church, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations Verification Mission. After the initial three months of the bilateral ceasefire, the ceasefire was extended for a period of more than six months. Colombia meetings underscore WCC’s vital role at peacemaking roundtable (WCC news release, 16 December 2023) WCC general secretary speaks before Colombian senate (WCC news release, 15 December 2023) WCC sees firsthand those most affected by conflict in Colombia (WCC news release 15 December 2023) WCC appointed as permanent accompanier in Colombian peace talks (WCC news release, 21 September 2023) 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