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World Conference On Religion And Peace“As men and women of religion, we confess in humility and penitence
that we have very often betrayed our religious ideals and our commitment to
peace. It is not religion that has failed the cause of peace, but religious
people. This betrayal of religion can and must be corrected.” Kyoto
Declaration, First World Assembly of the World Conference on Religion and
Peace (WCRP) Kyoto, Japan (1970) WCRP-SA A Historical Introduction Founded in 1970, the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) is dedicated to cooperation among the world’s religions for peace, while maintaining respect for religious differences. Accredited to the UN, WCRP is a global movement, with over 30 national chapters and members in over 100 countries. WCRP’s members are representatives of the world’s religious communities. The South African Chapter of WCRP came into being amidst the struggle against the gross injustices and cruelties of apartheid. Established in 1984, initiated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, it mobilised religious leaders and grassroots members in a unified active response to apartheid. WCRP-SA became a target for state harassment by the Apartheid Regime, some of our members were banned, others detained. Many of our gatherings were held under police presence. With the first democratic elections of 1994, WCRP celebrated it’s 10th anniversary. To celebrate this event the Peace Lecture, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, delivered a speech entitled “Let us Celebrate our Diversity”, President Nelson Mandela in his response highlighted the continued importance of our dialogue for the next decade of our work. “I wish however to emphasize the role of the religious community in reconstruction and development. On the one hand, we view it as only natural that the partnership against apartheid should mature into one for the betterment of the life of all South Africans, especially the poor. On the other hand, your prophetic voice is crucial in reinforcing the moral fiber of the new democratic state – be it in the application of human rights statutes or the integrity of its financial and other practices.” June 1999 marked South Africa’s second democratic election. The general peacefulness of this important event clearly showed the maturing of our young democracy. With the inauguration of a new president there also came a new phase in our nation’s history; that of social and economic transformation. WCRP-SA hereby continues in its partnership for a just and equitable South Africa by:
Guiding Principles 1. We are committed to our respective faiths and at the same time strive for inter-religious understanding and cooperation 2. We are concerned at the lack of unity and peace in our land 3. We are convinced that each of our faiths expresses itself clearly in favour of justice and harmony in society 4. We recognise our religious differences and respect one another’s convictions and hopes. 5. We regret that religion has in the past been instrumental in separating us from one another 6. We refuse to be polarised by suspicion, ignorance and intolerance 7. We do not intend to start a new universal religion which replaces all our faiths 8. We do not suggest that the missionary efforts of religion should come to an end 9. We do not accept that religious communities should withdraw from the problems and tension of society 10.We want to clarify and stress the role of religion in all concerns involving justice and peace 11.We want to promote mutual understanding between religious communities 12.We want to foster closer inter-religious cooperation in addressing the ills of society WCRP-SA Durban Chapter We are currently involved in many issues and programme in South Africa
and abroad, based on Peace and Human Rights: Individuals and organisations/institutes are invited to join WCRP as members. WCRP-SA Durban Chapter is in the process of reviving the Western Cape and Gauteng region and we are helping the Eastern Cape. Contact Details |
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