Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church in Colombia has reaffirmed its complete willingness to participate in the dialogue process with the various armed groups. This is what has been expressed by various Bishops at the Bogota opening of their Plenary Assembly.
The President of the Colombian Bishops' Conference (CEC), Bishop Ruben Salazar Gomez, has stated that “we are always open to profound dialogue with all parties. We are willing to offer our services in promoting the process...placing our little grain of sand in favor of peace.” Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Saenz also affirmed that “we are willing to collaborate in all that concerns peace. All that is done for peace and for the freedom of the kidnappers is important.” Bishop Jaime Prieto Amaya of Cucuta mentioned that efforts should be made to “create confidence between parties” and expressed his hope that with the recently made proposals from the government and from the FARC, liberty may be obtained for all those under the power of the guerrillas.
Bishop Gustavo Giron Higuita of Tumaco showed his concern for the situation of the indigenous community of Awa, after hearing word of a massacre of their people in the rural area of Barbacoas (Nariño). “We are very concerned about the Awa people, as they are not well-protected and in the last five years have been under attack from armed groups,” mentioned the Bishop, as his ecclesiastical jurisdiction encompasses Barbacoas. The Bishop of Tumaco explained that the Awa people are “peaceful and request respect for their organization and traditions. We have been accompanying them in this process and this is why it deeply pains us.”
The President of the CEC also described the event as “very serious” and called it “a crime that the entire nation should condemn.”
According to information from the Colombian daily “La Nacion,” “the local authority in Nariño, Xavier Hernandez, confirmed the that 17 indigenous people had been killed, three of whom were minors, and 6 are missing between the towns of Samaniego and Barbacoas, where there are armed groups of “Los Rastrojos” and guerrillas from the FARC and the ELN.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2009)
