AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Bishops at the close of their Plenary Assembly ask that all may continue on the “way of forgiveness, justice, truth, and solidarity, towards the restoration of liberty for all victims and for peace” and express their support for the Anti-Kidnapping March on July 20

Monday, 7 July 2008

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Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – On July 5, the Colombian Bishops’ Conference ended their Plenary Assembly with a Mass in the Primate Cathedral of Colombia, presided by Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Saenz, Archbishop of Bogota, together with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Aldo Cavalli and the country’s 92 bishops. The Mass was celebrated in thanksgiving for the Centennial Anniversary of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, which was the main theme for the Assembly and for the release of several hostages by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on July 2.
During the Assembly, new Leadership Team for the Colombian Bishops’ Conference (for the 2008-2010 term), which is now formed by: Archbishop Rubén Salazar Gómez of Barranquilla (President), Archbishop Iván Antonio Marín López of Popayán (Vice-President), and Msgr. Fabián Marulanda López (Secretary General).
At the end of the Assembly, the Bishops’ Conference issued a brief statement expressing their “thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life, for these our 15 brothers that have been released this past week, after a long period of suffering.” “Now is the time to express our joy along with each of the families that now welcome them back home.”
They also congratulate the President of the Republic, the Commanders of the Armed Forces, and all other State Organizations that coordinated the rescue effort without bloodshed. “As they themselves have stated, this is the result of the prayers of our entire nation.”
They later ask that all may continue advancing on the “way of forgiveness, justice, truth, and solidarity, towards the restoration of liberty for all victims and for peace among all Colombians.” The statement concludes with an urgent call to all armed groups, “that they may reflect, with a sense of solidarity and true love for the country, in accepting the ways to peace that are now in their hands.” They also reiterate their willingness to serve in “creating the conditions that will lead to the recuperation of peace for all people of this nation.”
The new President of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference reiterated the Catholic Church’s commitment to creating a status of peace and forgiveness, as well as their support for the march in protest of kidnapping scheduled for July 20.
The great march for the release of all hostages who are still being held captive by the guerrillas, scheduled for July 20, has been organized by several mass media corporations in the country and will conclude with a Grand National Concert. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/7/2008)