Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI launched at the Angelus yesterday, Palm Sunday, a call for reconciliation and peace in Colombia, inviting all Colombians to participate in the Day of Prayer for the victims of violence which will be celebrated on Good Friday and also announcing his adherance. On 6 April, the Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia (CEC), Bishop Juan Vicente Cordoba Villota, Auxiliary Bishop of Bucaramanga, went to the Congress of the Republic, accompanied by Father Pedro F. Mercado Cepeda, Deputy Head of the CEC and responsible for the relationship with the State, to present to Congress the Day, organized and called by the President of the CEC on Good Friday.
According to the note Fides received by the Episcopal Conference, during a press conference where the initiative was presented, the Secretary of the CEC said: "I call on all Catholics and all Colombians, of good will to reflect deeply on the sufferings and reality of these people”, he then added: " I ask the Congress to hear the voice of the Colombian people and to govern with social responsibility in favour of the victims”.
Referring to the "Ley de Victimas" currently being examined in Congress, the Secretary of the CEC said that "the Church has no specific technical solutions or support to any political party, but will closely monitor the legislative process and will continue to work because the rights of the poor and most vulnerable citizens are recognized and effectively protected”.
" Violence, in its various appearances, has been a constant in the political and social history of our nation - said the Secretary of the CEC -. The victims of this horrible phenomenon have been numerous, but have remained largely invisible and forgotten" . The Day of Prayer wants to show solidarity for the victims of Colombia and "accompany them in the path of reconciliation and forgiveness”. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 18/04/2011)
