Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Josè de Apartadò (Agenzia Fides) - On January 4th three volunteers of Operation Colomba, Non Violent Peace Corps of the Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII founded by the late Rev Oreste Benzi, started a visit to Comunità di Pace at San Josè de Apartadò, in Colombia. The two Italians Antonio De Filippis and Livio Dengo and one Chilean Alejandro Duransegura, carry a message of solidarity and concrete help and aim to assess the situation, necessities and activities in these Indigenous Communities of Peace in the region of Urabà, department of Antioquia in Colombia.
This part of the country, the scene of fighting between the army and guerrillas for several decades, came to the attention of the Italian public recently after Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez sought to mediate the release of hostages in the hands of the guerrillas, including Colombia's former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt.
Less known to Italian public opinion is the condition of these native peoples who have formed "Indigenous Communities of Peace”, openly declaring their opposition to all violence and use of weapons.
“They side with no one, they propose to reach peace with non violent methods. This courageous position has led to dozens of innocent victims in recent years in the logic of the most violent “with us or against us” perpetrated by the different actors of the armed conflict” says Antonio De Filippis, head of the Operation Colomba mission. “We wish to offer concrete witness of support for the existence and resistance of these realities for peace. We are aware that in the event of “provocation”, we will discuss a future more stable presence of Operation Colomba in this area”. The mission will last until 8 January. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/1/2008; righe 23, parole 312)
