Sept. 17, 2007 issue
Colombians to promote peace, economic justice
By Amanda Guldemond Mennonite Central CommitteePage:
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BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian Mennonites will take to the streets of the capital city Sept. 21 to draw attention to the need for economic justice in proposals for peace.
Throughout Colombia, churches will mark the International Day of Peace with Pan y Paz, or Bread and Peace, by handing out bread to passers-by.
Sept. 21 is designated by the United Nations as a day of international nonviolence and cease-fire.
In Colombia, a decades-long armed conflict continues to claim lives and terrorize residents. About two-thirds of Colombia’s population lives in poverty.
Severe economic inequalities exacerbate the conflict.
“Bread and Peace is an event that gives Colombian churches an opportunity to publicly express the importance of peace and economic justice for their community and country,” said Shalom Wiebe, national coordinator of the effort. “Many churches that participate in Bread and Peace make peace and justice-related work a year-round focus.”
Mennonite Central Committee and Colombian churches are inviting people in the United States and Canada to take part as well.
“Stand in solidarity with your Colombian brothers and sisters and be a voice in your own communities and countries, calling for a just economic distribution and peace for Colombia and the rest of the world,” Bread and Peace organizers urged in a letter to U.S. and Canadian churches.
Bread and Peace events were first held in Colombia in 2002 and have grown each year.
Churches and Christian organizations hold public events such as marches. They write letters to local and regional government officials about their vision for peace, as well as sending letters to newspapers and armed groups.
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