Dr. William Wipfler
In this podcast, Dr. William Wipfler, offers decades of wisdom and experience in order to lay a full foundational understanding of the movements in human rights, and how the everyday person can come to make a difference in advancing human rights. He shares the story of his unlikely beginnings in the world of advocacy and social change, and offers insight as to how political movements, social change, and economic shifts have impacted those living during each era. In addition, he offers inspiration as he shows the great leaps which have been made in the effort to further human rights. Wipfler also gives a full understanding for how human rights have been pushed aside, and identifies the work which is still in great need. In order to accomplish each of these, Dr. Wipfler shares heart breaking stories of human rights violations and inspires the listener with practical ways that he has addressed these issues.
The Reverend Canon William L Wipfler, PhD., D.D. has served as a priest, missionary, human rights advocate, and scholar, working in more than eighty nations throughout the world for more than sixty years. After his ordination to the Episcopal Church in 1955, he served for eight years as a missionary in the Dominican Republic and for two years in San Jose, Costa Rica. Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Wipfler worked with the National Council of Churches as the Assistant Director and then Director of the Latin American Department. He then went on to establish and serve as the first director of the NCC Human Rights Office, a position which he held for eleven years. In 1989, Dr. Wipfler served on the staff of the Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning of the Episcopal Church as Deputy to the Executive for the World Mission and Partnership Officer for Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East. In 1992, he was appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Associate for Human Rights with the Anglican Office at the United Nations. In addition to his missionary and human rights work, Dr. Wipfler has authored or co-authored seven books on human rights, church history, and Latin America, edited the NCC Latin America News Letter and Human Rights Perspectives, and a collection of statements on human rights and justice by official Anglican provinces and agencies. For his service and human rights advocacy, Dr. Wipfler has earned awards and recognition from organizations such as the United Nations and the governments of Chili and Brazil. Dr. Wipfler has served as priest in many churches throughout New York State for more than forty years. He currently serves as Associate Priest at Trinity Church in Hamburg, NY.
Interviewer: Stephanie Sacco
