5 th Assembly of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI)
Buenos Aires , Argentina
February 19-25, 2007

 

DECLARATION OF THE 5 TH CLAI ASSEMBLY TO THE CHURCHES AND ECUMENICAL ORGANIZATIONS OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

We met in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, more than 500 delegates and guests of the member churches of the Andean, the Caribbean and Greater Colombia, Brazil, Río de la Plata , and Mesoamerican regions that make up the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) in the framework of the 5 th General Assembly of the said ecumenical agency. A chorus of voices, colors, smells, rhythms, songs, and flavors has celebrated the diversity of our spiritualities and identities, in intimate communion and challenge toward new times and hopes. It is the confidence in the living God, the one that has upheld us forging the resistance to continue on during the difficult times and the one that inspires us in this new moment of advancing for God's Kingdom.

We celebrate with joy and hope the new signs that are given in Venezuela , Nicaragua , Bolivia , Ecuador , and Chile , countries in which efforts are made to elevate the dignity of those less favored, in concrete actions for the integral development of our societies. From theological and biblical reflection we feel the movement of Grace and the Spirit that frees us for life and that made us to respire and aspire together in the context of new breezes and fresh air in the integration of the peoples of our Indo-Afro-Latin American continent. Likewise, we have assumed the challenge of the construction of a new justice and a Culture of Peace, starting with the formation and the decolonization of our minds and realities in the social, economic, political, and religious environment. As the Peruvian congresswoman María Sumire, special guest to our Assembly, said, It makes it necessary for us to give of ourselves for the other, to serve our brothers and sisters, and to try to work for the welfare of our peoples.

Causes for concern for this Assembly were the war perpetrated in the Middle East, the situation of armed conflict in Colombia, as well as the crisis in the relations between Uruguay and Argentina in relation to the construction of pulp mills, the violation of Human Rights in the Guantánamo Prison, Cuba, as well as the confinement of the five Cuban political prisoners in United States prisons. This has all been fundamental for reflection, prayer, and a challenge for action. Nevertheless, hope is renewed in seeing the success of the initiatives on behalf of the formation and training in the mediation of conflicts, the promotion of peace in the familial, social, and structural context, which is a fruit of the Latin American Campaign for the Decade to Overcome Violence. The presence of the Nobel Peace Laureate, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, as well as governmental authorities, NGO's, representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, and prophets of our times, impress and inspire us daily. In that way, we maintain the balance between the memory of resistance and the defense of life, and the hope to see fulfilled in these times the promise of the Psalmist, Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other (Psalm 85:10).

During this Assembly, we had the presence of churches and cooperating agencies of North America and Europe , who brought us close to their own struggles and hopes. These have presented the invitation to renew shared mission in conviction and joint action, to mutually accompany and support each other. Also we have highlighted the presence of those who came before us. Remembering those beloved brothers and sisters, who made the path by walking, reaffirmed our commitment of giving continuity to their labors. In the same way, we affirm the new horizons of the Assembly in receiving greater participation in the decision-making processes of the Council from the youth, indigenous peoples, and women, maintaining the validity of their respective programs without renouncing their wide-ranging importance to the rest of CLAI's work.

We warned on the risk that faces churches in accommodating themselves to systems that are opposed to the values of a Theology of the Kingdom of God . It is therefore urgent to continue exercising our prophetic voice in denouncing injustices, violations of human, economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, thus announcing a liberating theology that practices a communal, educational, and transforming ethic.

We need to deepen our commitment in affirming full and abundant life in matters vital to the reality of our peoples such as the annulment of the external debt, illegitimate and odious, of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, the decolonization of those peoples that have not yet exercised their right to self determination, the affirmation of the rights of native peoples, African descendents, women, children, youth, people with disabilities, and other social subjects. Ethical challenges still continue for a stewardship of creation that helps to awaken a responsible awareness to stop and to pull back growing environmental contamination, global warming, and the tendency towards privatization of natural resources. Similarly, we assume the challenge of a contextual mission and evangelization that is inclined towards the conversion of lives and structures in favor of abundant life. (Juan 10:10)

In view of the reality that our peoples live in, we have been witnesses of the Grace of God, touching God's people. Grace that acts in unexpected ways, surprising us on the path, writing straight with crooked lines. It invites us to further spread this grace in the celebration of God's mercy and love that are made present today and that last for ever in the fulfillment of the justification of God's Grace for liberation and for life.

We leave you with a blessing that we shared in one of our worship services and that faithfully reflects the Spirit that accompanies us daily:

May the love of Tata God,
More immense than the plains
Cover you as with a shawl,
Blow as the wind or shine as the sun.

May the great mercy
Of the Son who frees us
Change within and without
Heart and history.

And may your Eternal Spirit
Who guides and consoles
Continue showing the path
Until your Reign triumphs.

(F. Pagura)