Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Fides Service) - “In the first two months of this year, according to General Ospina, army chief commander, 44 children were killed in combat: 19 belonged to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), 5 were with the National Liberation Army (ELN), 11 were with paramilitary groups and 9 were killed in episodes of crime. In the last five years no less than 1,800 children were abducted by FARC, ELN, paramilitary groups and criminal gangs. One hundred of these children committed suicide”. This is the tragic reality reported to Fides by the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Colombia, Father Luis Eduardo Castaño Cardona, who describes the desperate conditions of so many of Colombia’s children especially those involved in combat.
Between 2000 and 2003, no less than 214 minors under 18 were killed by anti-personnel land mines and unexploded bombs. It is estimated that there are 960 mined zones in Colombia. Between 11,000 and 14,000 (4.65%) children forcefully recruited have never been to school and in the ranks of the irregular troops they have no access to study.
In Colombia - Father Castaño continues- 6.5 million children live in dire poverty. They are seriously affected when the families are uprooted. In 2002, 45% of Colombia’s 2.5 million internally displaced persons were children. About 50% of the country’s children do not go to school because there is no room for them, they are suffering from trauma, they are disabled or because the have to work.
“Faced with this sad and tragic reality, the National office of the Pontifical Society for Holy Childhood or Missionary Childhood, is particularly committed pastoral work of animation, formation and organisation. The office organises activities for children and for Holy Childhood animators in various fields: human, anthropological, spiritual, biblical, psychological and recreational. These activities have involved at least 1,000 persons, priests, catechists, teachers, religious men and women, seminarians, and children aged 13 and over. About 150 eight-year-old children took part in specific formation activities. In Colombia about 5 million children are members of Missionary Childhood, educated and encouraged to help their less fortunate peers”. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2004; righe 26 - parole 354)
