Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Fides Service) - Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez, of the Colombian diocese of Yopal, Casanare region, has been taken hostage apparently by guerrillas of the ELN (National Liberation Army). On Saturday 24 July the Bishop was taken hostage with two priests during a pastoral visit in Morcote. With the clerics the rebels also took the mayor of Nuchì. On Sunday 25 July the bandits released the priests and the mayor who reported on the event. According to local Church sources efforts to obtain the release of the Bishop began immediately.
Today, 27 July the Holy See press room issued the following declaration: “The Holy Father learned with sadness and concern the news of this criminal act, which cannot be justified, and calls with paternal firmness for the speedy release of the Bishop. It is extremely distressing and deplorable that a bishop in the act of announcing the Gospel of peace and hope to the faithful entrusted to his care, especially the poor, should be prevented in such an undignified manner of exercising his pastoral ministry.”
In a statement issued on 26 July the Colombian Bishops’ Conference say that the Bishop has been taken hostage because the guerrillas want to send a message to the President of Colombia Uribe. The Bishops express spiritual solidarity and closeness to their brother Bishop and they firmly condemn kidnapping as a detestable crime which violates the fundamental human rights to life and freedom. The Bishops appeal to groups of outlaws to release all the hostages in their custody as a sign of peace on their part.
A few weeks ago the Colombian Bishops Conference made an official request for news about the whereabouts of Father Cesar Dario Pena, taken hostage on March 16 in his parish at Raudal, by members of FARC (Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia), and called for the immediate release of all hostages in the country because “the life and the freedom of every human person are gifts of God and no has the right to take them away”.
Bishop Misael Vacca Ramirez was born at Somondoco (Boyacà) in 1955. Ha studied philosophy and theology at Tunja major seminary and obtained a licentiate in philosophy and religious science in Bogotà in 1988. Later he studied systematic theology in Rome, at the Holy Cross College 1990 and at the Pontifical Salesian College for a licentiate theology specialising in youth pastoral and catechesis 1992. He then specialised in ethics and pedagogy at the university institute Juan de Castellanos in Tunja 1997. He was ordained a priest on 3 December 1983 for the diocese of Garagoa. He held several positions in the field of youth and vocation pastoral and as teacher and rector of the University insitute Juan de Castellanos at Tunja. On 22 June 2001 Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Yopal. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/7/2004 - Righe 37, Parole 489)
