WCC NEWS: At social dialogue in Colombia, WCC assures hundreds gathered: “we are co-pilgrims with you in your journey”

At a social dialogue on 5 June—one day before the start of the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting in Colombia—700 people gathered in Cartagena to listen and reflect about the challenges and triumphs on the path to total peace in the nation.  Photo: Colombia Ministry of Interior 07 June 2024 Organized by Lilia Clemencia Solano Ramirez—who is the Colombian deputy minister for Social Dialogue, Equality, and Human Rights—the gathering provided a forum for 30 religious and community leaders to talk about justice andreconciliation. WCC delegation consisting of WCC moderator of the central committee Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof Dr Jerry Pillay was among the speakers. “Thank you to the government for requesting the WCC to be among the facilitators of the peace processes in Colombia,” said Pillay. “The WCC recognises that peace is not just the absence of war but much more than that.” Pillay underscored that we cannot find peace through continued violence. “In the context of your beautiful country, we see conflict and violence,” he said. “I need not describe this in many words since you know this better than I do as someone coming from the outside.” He urged all to “remain together, work together, pray together, and walk together” for peace. “I wish to remind you that in this endeavour for peace in Colombia, you are not alone,” he said. “The WCC speaks about a Pilgrimage of Justice, Unity, and Reconciliation and it is our joy to be co-pilgrims with you in your journey for the same.” WCC general secretary Rev. Prof Dr Jerry Pillay during the event in Cartagena. WCC moderator Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm said he was impressed by the spirit of the meeting.  “It was a privilege to meet so many people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds welcoming us in their beautiful country,” he said. "We experienced a community in which the vision of a Colombia in which all people can live in dignity became alive. I was very impressed by the spirit  of justice, reconciliation, and unity, which I felt at this meeting. I will keep the people of Colombia in my prayers.” Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, expressed appreciation for the diversity of the gathering. “It was great to see the diverse communities participating in the process of social dialogue,” he said. “This is truly exemplary for many nations seeking closure from the hurts of the past and a new inclusive vision for all people.” From 6-11 June, the WCC executive committee is meeting in Bogota, Colombia, where the governing body is focusing not only on the business of the WCC but also on absorbing the life and witness of churches at the heart of the Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. In Colombia, WCC executive committee will focus on life and witness of churches (WCC news release, 30 May 2024) WCC general secretary to executive committee: “in Christ all things are held together” (WCC news release, 6 June 2024) WCC moderator Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm during the event in Cartagena. 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