Ecumenical witness for peace and reconciliation in Colombia

16 Mar 2016
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The fourth meeting of the International Trilateral Dialogue Commission in Colombia was an opportunity to hear how the local churches are promoting peace and reconciliation. Photo: LWF

The fourth meeting of the International Trilateral Dialogue Commission in Colombia was an opportunity to hear how the local churches are promoting peace and reconciliation. Photo: LWF

Catholic, Lutheran and Mennonite Trilateral Dialogue Commission on Baptism

(LWI) - Global representatives of Catholic, Lutheran and Mennonite churches meeting in Colombia, heard how the local churches are promoting peace and reconciliation in the country caught in a protracted 50-year civil conflict.

“It was a very powerful experience to discuss the theme of discipleship in Colombia and at the same time be able to hear how the churches there are contributing to the peace process, particularly in lifting up the voice and expectations of the local people and communities affected by the violence,” said Rev. Dr Kaisamari Hintikka, Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations at The Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

Hintikka and other representatives of the LWF, Mennonite World Conference and the Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity participated in the fourth meeting of the International Trilateral Dialogue Commission, held 29 February - 4 March in Bogotá, and jointly hosted by the local churches.

It was a very powerful experience to discuss the theme of discipleship in Colombia and at the same time be able to hear how the churches there are contributing to the peace process particularly in lifting up the voice and expectations of the local people and communities affected by the violence
LWF Assistant General Secretary Rev. Dr Kaisamari Hintikka

The Trilateral Commission discussed the topic “Baptism and incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church.” Its next and final meeting will take place in Germany, 8-14 February 2017, and will conclude with a final report to the three global bodies.

Read the Communiqué

LWF/OCS