Reconciliation in Liberia

National Commission Justice and Peace, Switzerland in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Monrovia Reconciliation in Liberia Informative meeting regarding the current social and political situation in Liberia and the contribution of the Catholic Church of Liberia Tuesday, 9th September 2008, 16.30h – 18.00h Venue: Holy Trinity Church (Pfarreisaal Dreifaltigkeit), Bern, Sulgeneckstrasse 9-11 Program Start 16.30h 1. Background Liberia – a brief analysis with regards to peace and human rights - History and origins of the conflict - What does reconciliation in the Liberian context mean and what are the challenges? - The role of Justice and Peace (during the war and now) 2. A contribution to reconciliation: Catholic Church and Justice and Peace Commission Liberia - To approach reconciliation: The role of the Church and JPC in the current post-conflict situation - Opportunities and limits of the work of the Church and JPC 3. Outlook - Reconciliation as a necessity (pre-condition) for peace - Next steps for the Church/JPC 4. Questions and Discussion End: 18.00h The presentations will be held in English Guests: Rev. Msgr. Andrew J. Karnley (*1967), Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. Studies of Philosophy, Theology and Human Development in Liberia, Ghana and England. After various appointments as Pastor in Parishes and Rector Catholic educational institutions he is currently serving as Apostolic Administrator Sede Plena of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. He is actively engaged in the national discussion on reconciliation in Liberia and has recently called for a war crime tribunal in Liberia to bring perpetrators of the civil war to justice. Rev. Fr. Sumo-Varfee Molubah (*1968), Administrator of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Monrovia. Studies of Philosophy and Theology in Ghana and Rome. In his position as a Secretary for the Archbishop and later for the Apostolic Administrator, he gained an in-depth knowledge of the possibilities and limits of the role of the Church and its organisations in the peace and reconciliation process in Liberia. Lic.phil. Sidonia Gabriel (*1978) Studies of Sociology, History and International Relationship in Switzerland. Postgraduate in Peace and Reconciliation Studies at the University of Coventry (UK). Scientific collaborator in the Political Division IV of the Swiss Foreign Ministry (DFAE). Currently with the German Civil Peace Service (AGEH) as adviser for peace and human rights with the Justice and Peace Commission in Monrovia, Liberia. ------------ Schweizer Bischofskonferenz Walter Müller, Informationsbeauftragter Avenue du Moléson 21, Postfach 278 CH-1701 Freiburg Tel. ++41 26 322 47 94, E: <mailto:info@sbk-ces-cvs.ch> info(a)sbk-ces-cvs.ch W: <http://www.sbk-ces-cvs.ch/> www.sbk-ces-cvs.ch