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Emilio Castro: A Legacy of Passionate Ecumenism

Carlos A. Sintado
Manuel Quintero Peréz

This is the engaging story of the first Latin American to serve the World Council of Churches as general secretary. A fervent believer in the power of the spoken word, Emilio Castro used his oratorical abilities to call for social change and ecumenical engagement throughout a career that took him from his native Uruguay to the halls of world power. How apt it is then that this biography, based on an extensive series of interviews in 2006, includes Castro’s own vivid re-telling of many of those moments.

Castro’s passionate engagement for ecumenism lifts off the pages as he retells the story of a career that took him from his native Uruguay to meetings with church and secular leaders throughout the world – from Nelson Mandela to Pope John Paul II.

“Life is marked by different stages, which are part of our ongoing pilgrimage … part of the mosaic of life that we are all building step by step.”Emilio Castro (1927-2013)

Emilio Castro

The WCC gives thanks to God for the life of Emilio Castro, who served for nearly twenty years as a leading member of the WCC staff, and from 1985 to 1992 as our fourth general secretary. Dr Castro passed away in Montevideo, Uruguay on the evening of Saturday 6 April 2013 at the age of 85.

General Secretary

Statement on Jerusalem killings

The World Council of Churches condemns the use of deadly force by the Israeli security forces, resulting in the killing of more than twenty and the wounding of hundreds of Palestinians in Jerusalem. The manner in which the Israeli authorities have acted reflects total disregard of their obligations under international law and makes them fully responsible for this tragedy. The Council extends to the families of the victims its sincere condolence and upholds them in its prayers.

General Secretary