Nagpur April 09:The National Council of Churches in Indiashares the grief with the World Ecumenical Community at the loss of one of its most profound and admired personalities. Emilio Castro, MethodistPastor and theologian from Uruguay served as the WCC General Secretary from 1985 to 1992. He passed away on 6th April in Montevideo, Uruguay. With aPastor’s heart, besides recognizing economic and socio-political aspects inherent in oppressive structures and processes, he identifiedspiritual reasons at the root of problems. He was convinced that the Power of the Gospel and the Power of Love can effectively combat the powers ofevil that threaten destruction and strife.
Emilio Castro previously served asdirector of the WCC commission on World Mission and Evangelism from 1973-1983. He studied at Union Theological Seminary, Buenos Aires, 1944-50, andwas ordained in the Evangelical Methodist Church of Uruguay in 1948. Under a WCC scholarship, he pursued post-graduate work in Basel in 1953-54 underthe guidance of Karl Barth. Returning to Latin America, he was pastor of Methodist churches in La Paz, Bolivia (1954-56, and in Montevideo, Uruguay,1957-65). His church and ecumenical activities in Latin America have been numerous. Elsewhere, his ecumenical activities have been with the ChristianPeace Conference and with the Agency for Christian Literature development. He received a doctoral degree from the University of Lausanne in 1984. Hisattendance at many conferences included the WCC assemblies of 1961 and 1968, the Life and Mission Conference of the World Student Christian Federationin Strasbourg, and the 1966 Church and Society conference in Geneva.
The world has found itself enriched byhis leadership, thoughts and numerous ecumenical activities that are manifested as a blessing in healing disturbed communities and developing manyministries in the direction of strong Christian witness and effective service. We are grateful to God for his life and accomplishments. We willcontinue to be inspired by his work, and will strive to carry on his vision and mission towards giving expression to the reign of God.(SP News)
