By Claudia Florentin. Translated from original via ALC (Latin American and Caribbean Communications Agency) by former Colombia Accompanier, Rev. Ivan Herman.
COLOMBIA-
Some 40 people representing the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church of Colombia (IPC), who are part of the Mission Network of Colombia, met in Bogotá on February 1 and 2, 2019. Upon hearing testimonies about the increase in violence in Colombia and the situation in Venezuela, they called for dialogue and a commitment to longer use weapons to solve conflicts.
Here the complete letter:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
We, the representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church of Colombia (IPC), as part of the Colombia Mission Network that met in Bogotá on February 1 and 2, 2019, have listened to testimony about the increase in violence in Colombia and the current state of affairs in Venezuela. Faced with this reality, we pray for peace in Colombia and for a peaceful outcome to the situation in Venezuela.
We have heard the requests of the partner churches of both countries, and we reject any attempt to solve the conflicts that both countries are experiencing by armed means or by external military intervention. We pray to God and ask our governments to solve these conflicts through dialogue and through diplomacy.
We will maintain our prayers and our solidarity, ready to influence our governments and call all our churches to announce the gospel of peace and reconciliation proclaimed by Jesus.
Bogotá February 02, 2019
Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church of Colombia (IPC)
Red de Misión Presbiteriana llama al diálogo ante los conflictos en Colombia y Venezuela
Retrieved March 5, 2019
This translation corrects the scripture citation as Matthew 5:9. The original news article cited it as Matthew 5:3.