wfn.org | Ecumenical Visit to Colombia

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                   WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

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 Telephone: (022) 791 61 52/51        Telefax: (022) 798 13 46
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PRESS RELEASE			FOR IMMEDIATE USE		9 July 1996

              MAJOR ECUMENICAL VISIT TO COLOMBIA

Rev. Dr Emilio Castro, from Uruguay and a former World Council of
Churches (WCC) General Secretary (1985-1992), will represent the
WCC on a high-level ecumenical team visit to Colombia.

Following an initiative of the Latin American Council of Churches
(CLAI), the team will address the question of human rights
violations and examine prospects for peace.

In view of the deteriorating situation in Colombia, CLAI invited
the WCC along with the Lutheran World Federation, the National
Council of Churches in the USA, and the World Alliance of
Reformed Churches, to join in a common pastoral action for peace
with the churches in Colombia.

The visit, scheduled for 15-21 July 1996, is the result; it will
have both a pastoral and prophetic character.

A local committee in Colombia is coordinating the visit which is
considered an "important and delicate" mission at a time when
human rights violations and levels of violence have reached
critical points in the country.

The Colombian churches want the ecumenical delegation to:

	visit areas of conflict and talk to religious and secular
organisations;
	appeal to those involved in armed conflict to seek peaceful
solutions;
	support and strengthen the Colombian churches in their
attempts to build a culture of peace and respect for life;
	motivate the Colombian churches to develop further their
prophetic involvement within society in order to promote the
values of God's Kingdom of Justice and Peace;
	share what they learn with the worldwide ecumenical
community.

Contacts:   WCC Press Office +41.22.791.61.52
            Rev. Felipe Adolf (Gen. Sec. CLAI) +593.2.56.15.39