CESE paid an official visit to the National Conference of Bishops ofBrazil (Conferência Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil: CNBB) as part of the agenda established by the leaders of the six churches that constitute the organisation. CESE’s President, Presbyter Anita Wright, and Executive Director, Pastor Sônia Mota, attended the meeting. They highlighted CESE’s role as an ecumenical body committed to social justice, the defence of human rights and solidarity among different faith traditions.
Anita emphasised CESE’s desire to strengthen its relationship with member churches over the long term, noting that this was their first visit to the CNBB and other visits are planned for the future. Sônia stressed that, with the advance of religious fundamentalism, it is essential to strengthen ecumenical ties and advance inter-religious dialogue, especially with African-origin religions. Father Marcus Barbosa, CNBB Advisor to the Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue and CESE board member, attended the meeting acting as a bridge to strengthen these links.