Official opening of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation - 18 May 2011

Soaked by tears

A symbolic representation of the tears shed by victims of violence during the opening prayer of the IEPC.

WCC president Rev. Dr Ofelia Ortega Suárez

Rev. Dr Ofelia Ortega Suárez, of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba, welcomed participants at the opening prayer service of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation as WCC president for the Caribbean/Latin America region.

"Glory to God and Peace on Earth"

"Glory to God and Peace on Earth" is the motto of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation and the title of its theme song.

Dr Paul Oestreicher

Canon Dr Paul Oestreicher, keynote speaker at the IEPC opening plenary, called for churches across all spiritual traditions to strengthen their position on peace, even while recognizing their own history of declaring war in the name of God.

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk

Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the department of external church relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, spoke of Christians and others across the globe who are daily exposed to humiliation and threats at the IEPC opening plenary.

Rev. Gary Harriott

Rev. Gary Harriott, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Jamaica which is the local organizer for the event.

Patriarchal Deacon Nephon Tsimalis

Patriarchal Deacon Nephon Tsimalis, from the United States, at the opening prayer.

All photos © Peter Williams/WCC
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