In a letter to Bishop Guadalupe Cortés, of the Salvadorean Lutheran Synod, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay praised Bishop Medardo’s legacy, referring to him as “a servant of Christ whose life bore witness to the Gospel’s call for justice, peace, and compassion.” “We give thanks for his life, his ministry, and his tireless efforts to build bridges of reconciliation. We pray that his legacy continues to inspire new generations to walk the path of justice and love,” added the WCC general secretary. Bishop Medardo Ernesto Gomez Soto, born on June 8, 1945, in Quelepa, El Salvador, has been known as a prominent Lutheran leader and human rights advocate. He studied theology at the Augsburg Lutheran Seminary in Mexico City and returned to El Salvador in 1972 to serve the Lutheran communities in San Salvador. During the late 1970s, he engaged in ecumenical dialogues with Archbishop Óscar Romero, fostering interfaith collaboration. In 1986, Gomez was elected and consecrated as the first bishop of the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod. Throughout the Salvadoran Civil War (1980–1992), he was a vocal advocate for peace and human rights, efforts that led to his abduction and torture by death squads. His commitment to social justice and the defense of the oppressed earned him multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. Under his leadership, the Salvadoran Lutheran Church embraced the "theology of life," emphasizing human rights and historical memory preservation. In 2014, Gómez initiated the Pastoral Initiative for Peace, aiming to reintegrate marginalized youth into society. After 38 years of service, Bishop Gomez retired in January 2025. | 
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