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.
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Schweizer Bischofskonferenz
Walter Müller, Informationsbeauftragter
Avenue du Moléson 21, Postfach 278
CH-1701 Freiburg
Tel. ++41 26 322 47 94, E: info@sbk-ces-cvs.ch