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Representatives of more than 150 faith-based organizations gathered in Bogota, Colombia on 5 November to discuss their role in the peace process in that country. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Interior and drew participation from the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, WCC representative to the United Nations, was one of the keynote speakers of the “1st International Meeting of Communities and Faith-Based Organizations: Peace Builders”. He reflected on WCC’s experience in negotiation and dialogue facilitation of peace in countries like South Africa, El Salvador, Guatemala, South Sudan, and the specific contribution of churches in the context of Colombia.
“In Colombia, churches and faith-based organizations play a fundamental and critical role in the processes of peace building, reconciliation and reconstruction. They have an ethical and moral authority to ensure that the processes of peace are based on justice”, said de Faria.
“The churches have a presence in the farthest corners of the country, where the state itself finds such a presence to be difficult. They assume a critical role in the reconciliation process", he added.
The Minister of Interior, Juan Fernando Cristo, acknowledged the work on peace being done by religious leaders and encouraged them to continue their ministry.
“The work of the churches of all denominations in Colombia is crucial to the process of building peace in all parts of our territory. Through their language of forgiveness, reconciliation and rebuilding, the churches have a lot to contribute”, said Cristo.
The invitation for the WCC to take part of the initiative came as a follow-up of the recent visit of the WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit to the country, which included meetings with President Juan Manuel Santos and Cristo.
Lorena Rios, coordinator of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, stressed that the event also marked the first time that religious institutions and related organizations are included in the National Development Plan. “Faith actors are crucial in building culture, awareness and peace", she said.
The event also included the exchange of experiences among faith-based organizations present in Colombia and discussions on how they can be connected to the peace plan in order to recognize the current situation of the faith communities and organizations in order to create a “peace builders formation center”.
WCC calls for protection of church leaders in Colombia (January 2015)
WCC affirms strong role of churches in Colombian peace process (September 2015)
WCC welcomes historic step towards peace in Colombia (September 2015)
