Representatives of Latin American and Caribbean churches have called for a united front to demand the abolition of foreign debt, describing it as, "immoral, impossible and never-ending."

The call is made in a message addressed to Protestant churches in the region at the end of a continent-wide consultation on "Globalizing the fullness of life" that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 28 April - 1 May.

Participants rejected the projected Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and "militarization" of the region by the United States, and called for a "broad and deep integration, based on human rights and the stewardship of creation."

Convened by the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) and co-sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and other ecumenical organizations, the consultation focused on the impact of globalization and economic integration in the region.

More than 100 representatives, including some from Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, also discussed what forms of pastoral care churches could offer to offset the exclusion and poverty generated by the policies pushed by international financial institutions.

"We have listened to the agonised cries from Latin America and the Caribbean, saying 'Enough is enough!' Humanity cannot continue to suffer this oppression that threatens human life and the entire planet we inhabit," the message said.

Among other things, the document criticised the George W. Bush administration's bid to religiously legitimise its policies. What is worse, it said, is that the system "is led by leaders who use the Christian faith to justify themselves and their plans for the future."

In a letter addressed to the churches in the US, Canada and Europe, representatives recognised the churches' "decisive and clear testimony in favour of life" and "commitment to peace and justice." This was "particularly notable in the clear position that the majority [of them] recently adopted regarding the invasion of Iraq by the allied military forces."

In the final message, representatives called on the faithful to carry out an "intense search" for the "deep-seated reasons for the huge increase in the number of victims of the socio-political and economic system dominant in our nations."

They also noted a growing demand on the part of churches and societies to recognize the "sinful and hypocritical nature of the system that governs us," and make this "a matter of faith which must be urgently put into practice."

As well as rejecting foreign debt, the leaders called on people to focus on the "internal social debt," and attributed the latter to neglect of, amongst other things, people's needs in health, work, food, education, land and housing.

The consultation included times of fellowship, study, exchange of experiences, worship and presentations by theologians, biblical scholars, and social scientists on the themes of CLAI's Faith, Economics and Society Programme.

The consultation participants agreed that humanity is living through "an apocalyptic moment in history." An empire is revealed "that reveres the market rather than God, and which has been expanding and growing increasingly arrogant. It has shown its true colours" in the "scandalous invasion of Iraq," states the document.

Representatives stressed the "challenges and unavoidable responsibilities" facing churches, and the choice "either to denounce the perversity of the current economic project, or be accomplices of the destruction that threatens the entire human family and all of creation."

While it recognized the "extraordinary growth" of churches throughout America and their "potential for witness, service and responsible participation," the representatives also cautioned against the "immaturity, incapacity and lack of courage that has sometimes been shown [by the churches] when it is time to take responsibility in social, political and economic arenas."

In the same critical vein, the document points out that some church leaders "were not prepared for the role entrusted to them" in that field, and showed "extreme short-sightedness and no sense of purpose."

Based on this assessment, they called for "fast, broad and thorough education and training for our congregations and organisations, both confessional and ecumenical, in order to ensure a faithful and coherent participation in the great ethical and spiritual struggle that we face."

Representatives called on the faithful to proclaim Christian hope to "a generation which lives with great discouragement and walks in the 'shadow of death', but also has great expectations."

"A different world is possible! A different world is necessary! Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we also believe, like our Aymara brothers and sisters, that Payi machaq qhantati (The darkest hour of the night comes just before dawn)," the final message concludes.

Discussion at the consultation focused on the document "Looking for solutions ... moving forward. Protestant churches say 'Enough is enough!'," written by sociologists, economists, theologians and pastors. The final text will be published by CLAI later this year.

Evaluating the consultation, CLAI general secretary Israel Batista said that one of the principal conclusions was the "need for greater dialogue between churches in the South and in the North."

WCC executive secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean Marta Palma praised the contribution of participants who came from other regions of the world, which enriched the discussions.

The consultation is part of a process that began in 2001 with regional consultations in Eastern Europe and the Pacific. Similar consultations are planned next year in the United States and the Middle East. A synthesis of the process will be drafted in 2005.

The Buenos Aires consultation was preceded by a 24-27 April continent-wide "Youth and Globalization" meeting that brought together young people in the same city.

The final message from the consultation, and the letter to the churches in the North is available at: http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/jpc/argentinadocs.html

World Council of Churches