The Role of Religious Minorities in Pluralistic Societies
The American Waldensian Society Centennial Conference
Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York City, March 23-26, 2006

To commemorate the centennial of its founding, the American Waldensian Society is sponsoring an international conference entitled, "The Role of Religious Minorities in Pluralistic Societies."

The conference will take place at Rutgers Presbyterian Church in New York City from 23 – 26 March 2006. Church leaders and academic representatives from Argentina, Italy, Uruguay, and the United States will address themes such interfaith dialogue, ministry in multicultural societies, practices of justice, evangelism, and spirituality. Although the social, political, and theological contexts of Europe, South America and the United States vary significantly, the conference will offer participants the opportunity to learn from one another and to explore ways in which to enrich a shared commitment to Christian witness in the complex world of today. To register, click here.

The Waldensian Church, a Global Ministries partner, originated in the twelfth century with the preaching of Waldo, a merchant from Lyon, France. Around Waldo emerged a community that steeped itself in Biblical teachings and sought to serve Jesus Christ in humility, poverty, and peace. The Waldensians immediately became the objects of severe persecution, which persisted even after the movement adhered to the Calvinist branch of the Reformation in1532. The Waldensians did not receive civil emancipation until 1848, and full freedom of worship was guaranteed only after the ratification of the Constitution of the Italian Republic in 1948.