Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - Social Justice and Reconciliation are the main themes for reflection chosen by the Church in Colombia for the 13th Week for Peace which will start on Sunday 3 September and conclude on Sunday 10. When presenting the initiative, the local Church called on all Colombian authorities and citizens to intensify efforts to eliminate extreme poverty and injustice.
The head of the national office for social pastoral and Caritas Colombia, Bishop Héctor Henao Gaviria of Garagoa, said “reconciliation is fundamental for obtaining lasting peace. Building peace demands a clear understanding of national priority needs at the moment, namely to fight poverty and guarantee food security for all Colombians”. The Catholic Bishops of Colombia have often denounced extreme poverty as one of the main causes of violence in the country which is listed as one of the world’s ten most violent nations. Although the country is rich in natural resources, 33 million Colombians live below the poverty line and of these 11 million live on less that 1 dollar a day. Moreover 48% of the population living in conditions of dire poverty is under 15 years of age.
The secretary of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference Bishop Fabian Marulanda Lopez of Jericò, said that the Week for Peace is an event from which all can benefit and he encourage people to take part in activities organised all over the country and launched another appeal for the release of hostages in the hands of armed groups or criminal gangs. Kidnapping for political or economic reasons is a real scourge in Colombia. According the local church figures there are presently about 2,490 persons held as hostages at the moment for various reasons.
The Week for Peace initiative, started in 1993, besides mobilising all sectors of society to work for peace, is also a privileged opportunity to highlight the efforts of thousands of people constantly engaged in this field and make known the organisations and groups which promote numerous initiatives to foster reflection and action with regard to the great themes of education to peace. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/8/2006 - Righe 31, Parole 444)
