Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Concepción (Agenzia Fides) - For His Exc. Mgr. Zacarías Ortiz Rolón, S.D.B., Bishop emeritus of the diocese of Concepción, it is incomprehensible that the so-called "Army of the Paraguayan People" (EPP) cannot be stopped, which makes one believe that some authorities are accomplices of the criminal group. The note sent to Fides informs that, according to Mgr. Ortiz, public opinion knows that the EPP is linked to drug trafficking, and even more, that some politicians protect them.
In this regard, long ago there were only suspicions, and stressed: "There are politicians who are drug traffickers".
Mgr. Ortiz also mentioned in the interview with the local press, that the criminal group (EPP) had emerged from the radicalization of some farmers who wanted to fight for the poor. "Now they do not fight for others, but they fight for themselves", he told the press.
The Bishop Emeritus, who is 82 years old and a long life of pastoral service in the country, spoke to remind the request of the Bishops' Conference on the occasion of the violent death of the 8 soldiers killed last August 27 in an ambush by the EPP in Concepción: "the Church calls, once again, on the authorities to identify the criminals and take all legal measures to punish the perpetrators and to prevent further shedding of innocent blood". On that occasion, the Bishops in a brief statement, condemned the murderous violence of the guerrilla group and asked to stop the attacks. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 08/09/2016)
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