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COLOMBIA: Congress honors Episcopal diocese for 50 years of justice, pastoral ministry
Colombia Bishop Francisco Duque-Gómez accepted the Order of the Congress of Colombia on behalf of the diocese at an early July ceremony held at the Constitution Hall in Bogotá, the nation's capital city.
The recognition, Duque said, "makes us proud" and the diocese "renews its commitment to work in the service of everyone, but particularly in the service of the poor, the homeless, displaced and persecuted."
In 2010, the diocese is celebrating 50 years of presence in the Republic of Colombia. The diocese was officially constituted as a missionary church by the Episcopal Church's General Convention in 1963 and has since been committed to outreach ministries in support of the most vulnerable groups in its society, especially the hungry and homeless, children and widows.
The diocese is part of Province IX of the Episcopal Church. With its 21 congregations, it has made strategic alliances with local governments in an effort to maintain and strengthen its aid programs.
Through one such ministry in Cali, Colombia's third-largest city, the diocese partners with the municipality to provide food to 80 senior citizens. In Bogotá, the diocese works with abandoned children, single mothers and assists young people with drug problems and homelessness.
The Honorable Charles Schultz, presenting the award on behalf of the Senate, spoke about Duque's "dynamic, spiritual, social, educational and ethical leadership" and emphasized the church's role in human rights, in respecting the dignity, integrity, liberty, equality and justice of all human beings.
The award marks the first time that a non-Roman Catholic denomination has been recognized in this way by the Colombian Government.
The Rt. Rev. James H. Ottley, former bishop of Panama and former assisting bishop of Southeast Florida, and his wife Lillian attended the ceremony as Duque's special guests.
Blanca Lucia Echeverry, Duque's wife, and lay and clergy members of the Episcopal Church in Colombia were also present.
Duque, a trial attorney and specialist in social sciences, said the diocese will "continue the mission which Jesus Christ commanded us to preach -- the good news of hope, love, peace and salvation."
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who visited Colombia in July 2007, said, "I am delighted that the transformative ministry of the Diocese of Colombia has been recognized and celebrated by the government of Colombia. May this ministry continue to bless so many of 'the least of these' whom Jesus says are his presence in the world."
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