The Commencement Service of the Vth Assembly of CLAI

Carolina Brito, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, February 20, 2007

Last night in the sanctuary of the Christian Bible Church, some 700 people celebrated the Taxi Heathrow Airport commencement service of the 5th Assembly of the Latin American Council of Churches under the slogan, “The grace of God justifies us, the spirit of God frees us for life.”

Declared of National Interest by the Argentinean Government, the Assembly officially commenced its activity in a framework of diverse representation of all its regions in the presence of delegates and invited representatives of different churches, organizations, and institutions that make up CLAI.

Guillermo Olivieri, Secretary of Worship for the National Government, expressed his greetings in the name of President Néstor Kirchner, affirming that opportunities like these are “generated in fellowship and discussion but also in service and commitment, characteristic of the evangelical people.” The official called for the promotion of the universal vocation of religions with an “openness and plurality which supports an ethical commitment.”

Also present were officials from the government of the city of Buenos Aires. When it was his turn, Dr. Walter Altman officially expressed his greetings to the 5th Assembly as Moderator of the World Council of Churches. He emphasized the importance of interceding, searching, and directing ecumenical unity, generating a movement in which institutions can advance.

In this sense, Bishop J. Oneres Marchiori of the Latin American Episcopal Council affirmed that “Christ sends us to those who love us and those who might not love us.”

Finally Bishop Julio César Holguín, President of CLAI, welcomed all participants and declared the official commencement of the 5th Assembly in Buenos Aires.

After the presentation of the five regions in which the member churches of CLAI are organized in our continent, Bishop Julio Ernesto Murray of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Panama gave the sermon, culminating with the moving participation of the musical group and choir of the Assembly.

The organized activities in this event will be carried out until Sunday the 25th, and in which the presented topics will be discussed as the main points from each region, such as: “Ministry, Charism, and Power;” “The Church and Ethical Challenges;” “Spirituality and Identity;” “Diaconia and Evangelization;” and “The Right to Full Life.”

In the meantime, on Thursday the 22nd at night in the central obelisk of the Capital a public ceremony will be held with the presence of Teresa Parodi and Víctor Heredia, authorities of the national government, and all the member churches of CLAI.