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WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay and the delegation will meet the Presbyterian Church of Colombia and the main ecumenical peacebuilding platform in Colombia, DiPaz, for consultations of the current status of the search for ‘total peace’ in Colombia, and on the role that WCC plays in support of its member church and ecumenical partners in this process.
The delegation will also meet with state officials, UN staff, ambassadors, and international partners, and is expected to meet with Colombian president Gustavo Petro.
In addition, Pillay will meet local and regional leaders of the Roman Catholic Church.
A WCC delegation previously visited Colombia in August to 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.
The WCC, with the Colombian Episcopal Conference, United Nations Mission in Colombia, and Organization of American States, has been appointed as a permanent accompanier of the peace talks with the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) FARC-EP in Colombia.
At the regional level, WCC is represented by Dr h.c. Humberto Shikiya, WCC’s special envoy to the Colombia peace process.
ACT Alliance general secretary Rudelmar Bueno de Faria is also joining the visit for the first two days of the programme.
Pillay said he expects to walk, work, and pray with people and churches in Colombia on the path to sustainable and just peace. “This is an important – even emblematic – part of our Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity across the world,” said Pillay. “I am grateful that we are being hosted for this visit and the we have been invited to work for peace in this context and in the rest of the world.”
Besides Pillay, the delegation is formed by Rev. Vilma Yanez, Presbyterian Church of Colombia, member of the WCC central committee, Peter Prove, director, WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, Dr h.c. Humberto Shikiya, WCC special envoy for the peace process in Colombia, and Dr Marcelo Schneider, WCC programme executive for communication and church relations.
WCC appointed as permanent accompanier in Colombian peace talks (WCC news release 21 September 2023)
