Mennonite Weekly Review

MANILA, Philippines — The Mennonite Church of Colombia is prepared to take risks to work for peace in the conflicted country.

Peter Stucky, Mennonite World Conference Executive Committee member for Latin America from Colombia, reported at meetings in Manila that MWC member churches in Colombia have taken up initiatives to build bridges between warring factions there. They also hope to draw in other people who believe that the conflict needs to be solved through dialogue.

“The Mennonite Church of Colombia has been very clear that it is the church’s vocation and mandate to dialogue with any armed group that is willing to do so in the search for peace for Colombia,” Stucky said.

Because contact with militants implies risks, the church is seeking support from international church bodies “to give moral support, to offer solidarity and, most important, to give spiritual cover,” he said.

Stucky brought a proposal from the Mennonite Church of Colombia asking MWC to support the church’s peace initiatives, including contact with the armed parties, urging humanitarian action and constructive conversations to seek peace and justice.

“The initiatives reflect these churches’ desire to remain true to their calling of being salt and light in a country whose soul cries and pleads for peace in the ongoing conflict,” said Danisa Ndlovu, MWC president-elect.

“The Executive Committee has no choice but to support [the proposal] even though to some it might appear risky and uncomfortable.”

Conflict has devastated Colombia for 60 years, resulting in thousands of violent deaths, disappearances and kidnappings each year. An estimated 3.5 million people have been internally displaced, and many have fled the country.

The Mennonite Church has worked closely with other churches on peace education and with organizations and coalitions in human rights efforts. It has contacted two guerrilla groups — the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the ELN (National Liberation Army) — as well as the AUC (United Self-defense of Colombia), a paramilitary group now demobilizing, and the Colombian military. The intent was to build bridges of communication among the armed parties as well as between them, the church and civilians.

Stucky said that the church has discussed its initiatives with Colombia’s first lady, who listened sympathetically. It has begun contact with a guerrilla leader, made possible by a church member who lives near that leader.

The government has made it clear, however, that anyone contacting the FARC will be considered a military target. Stucky said having the support of international church bodies, including MWC and others, would reduce the risk to church members.

“MWC support is a way of actively praying for these peace efforts and being prepared to speak on behalf of the churches when others criticize the risks they take,” said Nancy Heisey, MWC president.

The Executive Committee affirmed support for the peace efforts of its member churches in Colombia, including Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren and Brethren in Christ, as well as other churches. They also prayed for Colombia.