wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Chile decorates former WCC general secretary

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World Council of Churches - News Release

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For immediate release - 14.10.2009 11:34:21

>CHILE DECORATES FORMER WCC GENERAL SECRETARY

The Rev. Dr Emilio Castro was decorated today by the government of the  Republic of Chile. The honour recognizes his contribution to the defense  of human rights in this South American country during the 1980s.

The Orden de Bernardo O'Higgins, is Chile's commendation for non-Chilean  citizens. It was bestowed on Castro by the Chilean representative to the  international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Carlos Portales.

Bernardo O'Higgins, a central figure of Chile's fight for independence in  the 19th century, is considered the nation's founding father. Castro, a  Methodist pastor from Uruguay, was WCC general secretary between 1984 and  1992.

Additional information:Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363media@wcc -coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness  and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of  churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant,  Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million  Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman  Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from  the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.