A Creole translation of the final message of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, held in Jamaica in May 2011. “M’ap mande Bondye pou li ban nou, dapre richès pouvwa li a, fòs ak kouraj nan kè nou, pa mwayen pouvwa Sentespri a, pou nou ka grandi nan karaktè nou, pou Kris la rete nan kè nou ak konfyans nou gen nan li a. M’ap mande Bondye pou nou pouse rasin, pou nou chita byen fèm nan renmen,”(Efez 3:16-17)
Ecumenical
Convocation Final Message Rejects War in Favor of ‘Just Peace’
“We understand peace and peacemaking as an indispensable part of our common faith,” states the opening sentence of a “final message” from the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC). The message issued yesterday, May 24, 2011, in Jamaica on the last day of the IEPC, is not considered an official statement of the sponsoring body, the World Council of Churches. Instead it is intended to represent a sense of the meeting.
Daily Themes Highlight Peace in the Community, Peace with the Earth
The four themes of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation each are receiving a day’s worth of attention, with a morning plenary session and afternoon “innerstandings” seminar sessions.
Mennonite Ecumenical Leader Speaks About Peace Church Contribution to Decade to Overcome Violence
One of the results of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) has been the full inclusion of peace churches in the ecumenical family of the World Council of Churches, asserts Fernando Enns. Interviewed in the Peace Convocation meeting tent after opening worship this morning, Enns reviewed the role of the Historic Peace Churches (Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers) in the Decade, and commented on what he sees as a major shift in attitude toward the Gospel of Peace by many other churches.
Opening Worship and Plenary Features Strong Speakers on Peace
The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation opened the afternoon of May 18 with worship and a first plenary session. Highlights included the attendance of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the keynote address by Paul Oestreicher.