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The things that make for peace in Colombia

09 April 2024

A tray lunch event at the Ecumenical Center, in Geneva, Switzerland.

In Colombia, WCC is helping people realize dreams of a future in peace with justice

In September, the World Council of Churches (WCC), with the Colombian Episcopal Conference, United Nations Mission in Colombia, and Organization of American States, was appointed as a permanent accompanier for peace talks with the Estado Mayor Central FARC-EP in Colombia.

20 October 2023

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata: “Colombia is a deeply fragile but promising country”

Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme director for Public Witness and Diakonia, led a delegation that visited Colombia on 8-11 August to express solidarity with the Colombian churches, government and people as they collaborate in the design, implementation, and advocacy for the construction of peace in the country. Below, he shares his impressions of the visit.

15 August 2023

Ecumenical theology at chapel, classroom, and office: Odair Pedroso Mateus reflects on serving the WCC

Rev. Dr Odair Pedroso Mateus began to teach at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in 2004 and joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 2007. Most recently he served as WCC interim deputy general secretary and Faith and Order director. Below, he reflects on his fondest memories, accomplishments, and hopes.

08 February 2023

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service at the Interchurch Center in New York City

In New York City, unity prayers focus on how we “can join hands and minds and do the work that God has called us to do”

Christians in New York City opened the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 18 January by participating in a worship service at the Interchurch Center, an office building that houses many church-related organizations and many others focused on intercultural and religious exchange. The service was infused with themes of justice and unity, both from a perspective of African-American history and the urging of Christians today to put their faith into action.

24 January 2023

Calling for Christian Unity requires “both a prophetic and pastoral approach”

Rev. Dr Curtiss Paul DeYoung, co-chief executive officer of the Minnesota Council of Churches, helped convene the team of authors for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity materials. Below, he reflects on the challenges and hopes the team brought to the table as they composed the text.

18 January 2023

Migrants in Argentina find listening ears and open hearts

Located in the Flores neighborhood of the City of Buenos Aires, for almost 50 years the Argentine Commission for Refugees and Migrants has carried out committed work in favor of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

04 November 2022

Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells: “The greatest gift is that I don’t have to do it alone”

When Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells, African Descent Lutheran Association national president, reflects on his experience as one of 18 participants from around the world to participate in the United Nations' Fellowship Programme for People of African Descent, he thinks of it as a unique opportunity to advocate for racial justice.

14 December 2021

Perkins names Dr Evelyn Parker as 2021 Distinguished Alumna

The Perkins School of Theology Alumni/ae Council selected Dr Evelyn L. Parker as the 2021 recipient of the Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. The award recognizes Perkins graduates who have demonstrated effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support for the goals of Perkins and Southern Methodist University, outstanding service to the community, and exemplary character.

11 November 2021

Blog post

In Colombia, “what is happening is terribly painful”

Rev. Gloria Ulloa, World Council of Churches president for Latin America and the Caribbean, is in Cali, Colombia, with a delegation of DiPaz, the country’s main ecumenical peacebuilding platform. The group is having direct grassroots contact with the conflicts currently taking place. Ulloa and others hope to bring to light testimonies of peoples and communities usually forgotten by the big media.

Below is Ulloa's latest description on the ground.

20 May 2021

Gloria Ulloa Alvarado

Rev. Romi Bencke, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Brazil

In Brazil, Rev. Romi Bencke is not afraid to ask: “What are the walls that divide us?”

Rev. Romi Bencke, general secretary of the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil, believes that being an ecumenical leader means having the courage to ask the most difficult questions even in a polarized society.

09 March 2021

Religious leaders speak out against violence at US Capitol: “Our democracy is under siege”

As mob violence took over the US Capitol on 6 January, churches in the USA spoke out against the threat against the integrity of democracy.

07 January 2021

In Brazil, “kindness generates kindness” during Week of Prayer

Rev. Inácio Lemke is president of the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC). He is an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil. This interview is part of a series dedicated to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

17 June 2020

Consultation “Towards a Global Understanding of the Church”

18 - 22 March 2019

The World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order will hold a public consultation “Towards a Global Vision of the Church” in partnership with the Faculdade Unida de Vitória 18-22 March 2019, in Vitoria, Brazil.

Vitoria, Brazil

Presenters (clockwise, from top left): Carol Duncan, Kofi Hope, Peter Noteboom, and Néstor Medina.

Webinar: Anti-Black Racism and Afrophobia in the Canadian Context

01 October 2018

The United Church of Canada, in partnership with the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, is presenting a webinar on anti-Black racism and Afrophobia. This webinar is part of the church’s participation in the UN International Decade for People of African Descent.

Online

An activity of the Ecumenical Youth Network REJU at the Rio+20 People's Summit

Youth Engagement in Social Justice in Latin America

08 - 12 November 2016

Latin America is one of the most unequal regions in the world in terms of income and living conditions. At the same time, the region has strong religious traditions and churches. The seminar will address topics linked to the engagement of Latin American churches in social justice issues, drawing on the experiences of the participants themselves.

Colombia