Peace Processes
From Mozambique and South Sudan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Colombia, the Catholic Church often plays a formal or informal role in peace processes. It can do so because of its rooted presence in impacted communities, its institutional reach, its standing as a trusted dialogue partner, and its reservoir of teaching and praxis in the realm of peacebuilding.
In all the areas where CPN has maintained lasting connections, the Catholic Church has played a significant role in peace processes. CPN has accompanied the Church in Colombia in myriad ways throughout its search for peace, including hosting a strategy session for Colombian bishops on their role in the peace process. In the Great Lakes Region of Africa, CPN collaborated with six national and two regional episcopal conferences to develop a plan for regional peacebuilding. And CPN is collaborating with Catholic Relief Services in Mindanao to run a series of virtual workshops for leaders of the Christians for Peace Movement, which was formed to support implementation of the Bangsamoro peace agreement.
Events
Catholic Peacebuilding in Times of Crisis: Hope for a Wounded World, Plenary 3: "Catholic Church and Peace Processes"
June 22, 2022
Across the world, the Catholic community has been centrally involved in multiple facets and phases of formal peace processes. This roundtable discussion brings together perspectives from Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and the Philippines. Discussants address ways in which the Catholic Church brings distinct strengths to these processes, and ways in which it can adapt to emerging challenges and new contexts to become an ever more effective agent of peace. Moderator: Susan Page, University of Michigan. Discussants: Josefina Echavarría Álvarez, University of Notre Dame; Rev. Héctor Fabio Henao, Episcopal Conference of Colombia; Paolo Impagliazzo, Community of Sant’Egidio; Myla Leguro, Catholic Relief Services; Bishop Jean-Bertin Nadonye Ndongo, OFM Cap (Lolo), National Episcopal Conference of the Congo Justice and Peace Commission.
"Reconciliation and Peace in Colombia: Confidence-Building Developments and Continuing Challenges"
Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN
February 2, 2018
The session provided a timely update on the co-sponsor work with key stakeholders from Colombia who continue implementing the 2016 peace agreement and confidence-building measures with counterparts in the FARC, while vigorously developing new initiatives with members of the ELN as 2018 unfolds.
Read the event report from the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN.
View the recording on UN Web TV.
Resources and Documents
Peace Processes Tools and Guides Transitional Justice and Reconciliation