News
The US presence and policies, human rights, democratization, international aid, as well as ecumenism in the region, and the forthcoming 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will be the main topics on the agenda during the first official visit by WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia to churches in Cuba and Haiti from 31 July - 7 August 2005.
On 28 July, Kobia will also meet the leadership of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) at its headquarters in Trinidad.
WCC president from North America, Dr Bernice Powell-Jackson of the United Church of Christ (USA), and WCC central committee member Bishop Rolf Koppe of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) will join the delegation in Cuba. Central committee member Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi of the Episcopal Church of Burundi will accompany the group in Haiti.
Caribbean Conference of Churches general secretary Mr Gerald Granado and WCC central committee member Ms Donnalie Edwards-Cabey of the Church in the Province of the West Indies (Bahamas) will participate in the 28 July meeting at CCC headquarters in Trinidad.
WCC staff members Ms Marta Palma, programme executive for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Mr Guillermo Kerber, programme executive for impunity, justice & reconciliation, will be travelling with the WCC general secretary.
The WCC has two member churches in Cuba, the Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Reformed Church; the Protestant Federation of Haiti is an associate council of the WCC. Former WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser paid a pastoral visit to both countries in October 1999.
<span style="font-weight: bold; "» Visit programme highlights
TRINIDAD
Thursday 28 July:
- Meeting with Caribbean Conference of Churches leadership
CUBA
Sunday 31 July:
- Morning worship in the First Presbyterian Church of Havana; Kobia to preach
- Evening worship in the Methodist Church of Havana; Kobia to preach
Monday 1 August:
- Meeting with leaders of Cuban churches, hosted by the Council of Churches of Cuba
- Meeting with the Roman Catholic archbishop of Havana, Jaime Cardinal Ortega y Alamino
- Public conference at Africa Friendship House; Kobia to speak on "The African contribution to solidarity among peoples"
Tuesday 2 August:
- Visit to Evangelical theological seminary of Matanzas
- Meeting with church leaders in Matanzas
Wednesday 3 August:
- Meeting with government officials
- Press conference: venue and date to be confirmed
HAITI
Friday 5 August:
- Meeting with Roman Catholic archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Archbishop François-Wolff Ligondé
- Meeting with government officials
- Press conference: venue and date to be confirmed
- Conference about the Decade to Overcome Violence / dinner with church leaders and civil society representatives
Saturday 6 August:
- Visit to a church-related social project in Port-au-Prince
- Informal encounter with church leaders and civil society representatives (politicians and women's groups) to discuss the WCC, the 9th Assembly, and ecumenical solidarity with Haiti
Sunday 7 August:
- Ecumenical service in the Methodist Church of Port-au-Prince; Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi to preach, Kobia to offer a message