Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Medellin (Agenzia Fides) - “We have no words to describe our concern and grief upon the assassination of our beloved priest.” This is what Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin (Colombia) and his Auxiliary Bishops and priests have written in a statement published immediately following the violent death of Fr. Juan Gonzalo Aristizabal Isaza, who was killed on February 22 by unknown persons, whom authorities are trying to locate.
According to the statement, the priest was pastor of Saint John the Apostle Parish and Chaplain of the Intercontinental Hotel in Medellin. He was also “known for his spirit of charity towards those most in need, his pastoral dedication, intelligence, and generosity with others.”
“As the Catholic Church, we strongly reject these acts that go against human life and against the progress of society and the work of evangelization that a priest carries out on a daily basis, as a service to others,” the statement reads. It concludes by asking for prayers “for the eternal repose of Fr. Joan Gonzalo Aristizabal Isaza and for those responsible for this homicide, that the Lord may transform their hearts.”
The body of the priest was found inside an automobile that belonged to him, around 2:50 in the morning on Sunday. The car had been abandoned on the state highway that links the city with the north, near the University of Antioquia. Preliminary hypotheses say that he died of asphyxiation, however at the moment the Church and police authorities do not know the details of the causes nor those responsible for the crime.
Funeral services were held in the Medellin Cathedral on Monday, February 23, presided by Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo of Medellin and concelebrated by the Auxiliary Bishops of Medellin and a group of 50 priests. Upon his visit to Medellin, Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe Velez mourned his passing. “We are filled with grief for this murder here in Medellin of Fr. Juan Gonzalo Aristizabal, who served as Government chaplain when I had the honor of being the Governor of Antioquia,” he said.
Fr. Juan Gonzalo Aristizabal, 62, was born in Medellin. After completing high school studies, he attended classes in Philosophy and Literature at the UPB and Theology at the Major Seminary. He was ordained a priest in the parish of Our Lady of the Assumption (Copacabana) on June 10, 1973. Receiving a Degree in Education from the CEIPA, la the University “San Buenaventura” (Medellin), he received the title of psychologist and taught classes at the University of Antioquia.
Since his ordination, he ministered as follows: Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption (Copacabana) (1973-1978); Assistant pastor at “Jesus de la Buena Esperanza) (1978-1979) and Saint Mary of the Angels (1991-1993); Pastor of Saint Mary Magdalen (2000-2006) and Saint John the Apostle since February 2, 2006. He was chaplain in Copacabana (1973-78), in the School of Saint John Bosco (1978-79, College Prep School of the University of Medellin (1977-80), Saint Joseph Home for Children (1978-1984), the Colony of Belencito (1984-86), and the Government of Antiochia (1993-1996). He was rector of the Ozhanam School and said Masses on Holy Days of Obligation at several hotels in the City. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 24/2/2009)
